By Sade Adewale, Ondo

Two men have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo for allegedly breaking into the factory and premises of one Bayo Akinnagbe, and stealing properties worth N2,840,000 without his consent.

The accused are Alex Kolawole, 22, and Amin Adamu, 37.

According to the police, the defendants are charged with stealing items including five generator kicks valued at N275,000, four Ford Bus alternators worth N400,000, three Ford Bus kicks valued at N150,000, one 30KVA alternator worth N850,000, one stainless steel water pump worth N180,000, three 100AMP batteries valued at N225,000, four 75AMP batteries worth N220,000, one 5KVA generator valued at N150,000, two motor jacks worth N30,000, two shock absorbers valued at N60,000, a 5KVA stabilizer worth N140,000, and a 2HP pump valued at N160,000—totaling N2,840,000. These items were stolen between July 22 and August 10, 2024, from the Kylmax Water Factory in Ondo. The charges are in violation of Section 383(2)(a) and are punishable under Sections 413(2) and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The charge sheet read in part: “That you, Kolawole Alex, 22, and Amin Adamu, 37, between July 22 and August 10, 2024, at Kylmax Water Factory, Ondo, in the Indoor Magisterial District, did break into the factory and premises of one Akinnagbe Bayo with the intent to steal, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 413(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

It further stated: “That you, Kolawole Alex, 22, and Aminu Adamu, 37, between the same dates, at the same location, did steal 5 generator kicks valued at N275,000, four Ford Bus alternators worth N400,000, three Ford Bus kicks valued at N150,000, one 30KVA alternator worth N850,000, one stainless steel water pump worth N180,000, three 100AMP batteries valued at N225,000, four 75AMP batteries worth N220,000, one 5KVA generator valued at N150,000, two motor jacks worth N30,000, two shock absorbers valued at N60,000, a 5KVA stabilizer worth N140,000, and a 2HP pump valued at N160,000—totaling N2,840,000, property of Akinnagbe Bayo, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 383(2)(a) and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The defendants, who are facing charges of conspiracy and stealing, pleaded not guilty.

Police prosecutor Supol Bernard Olagbayi informed the court that he would be calling three witnesses to testify in the case and requested an adjournment to study the case file.

The defendants were not represented by legal counsel in court.

Presiding Magistrate Mrs Omofolarin O.A. granted the defendants bail in the sum of N3,000,000 each, with two sureties in like sum. She stipulated that one surety must be an executive of a community house, and must provide evidence of tax clearance, two recent passport photographs, and valid identification.

Omofolarin adjourned the case until November 19, 2024, for a hearing.