By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

An 18-year old boy, Ayomide Obanufin, has been remanded in police custody by an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a mobile phone valued at N250,000.

The accused, whose address was not provided in court, was docked before Magistrate Tina Ayodele on a one-count charge of stealing, preferred against him by the Ondo State Police Command.

Police prosecutor, Adebayo Sulaiman, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 14, 2025, around 6:00 a.m. at Ilado community in Akure.

Sulaiman alleged that Obanufin unlawfully stole one Infinix 2.1 android mobile phone valued at N250,000 belonging to one Kolawole.

He said the offence contravenes Sections 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor informed the court of the prosecution’s intention to call witnesses during trial and sought an adjournment to enable a proper review of the case file.

Meanwhile, defence counsel, Barrister Damola Ambekemo, urged the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms, assuring that the defendant was ready to meet any bail condition and would provide credible sureties.

In her ruling, Magistrate Ayodele granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She added that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, submit two passport photographs each, an affidavit of means, and evidence of tax clearance.

However, the defendant was ordered to be remanded in police custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2025, for further hearing.