Two in curt for stealing N3.6m goods

By Damilola Origbemisuyi
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Two  people, Oyetola Ogungbemi, 30, and Damilola Tolorunlase , 25, have been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court or allegedly stealing goods worth N3.6 million belonging to one Kikelomo Ajibola.

 Ogungbemi and Toorunlase were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Charity Adeyanju on three counts charge of conspiracy and theft.

 The defendants were said to have committed the offence between February, 2018 and September 2019 at No. 28, Town Planning Office, Shagari Village, Akure.

 The goods stolen include; 70 cartons of Praise Jah Blood Tonic valued at. N1,848,000, 50 cartons of Akanvic Herbal mixture valued at N450,000,  50 cartons of Atomobi valued at N450,000, 20 cartons of Toothache valued N560,000, 20 cartons of Yoldyn valued at N332,000, total valued at N3,640,000, belonging to the complainant, Ajibola.

 The offence was said to be contrary to sections 383 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006

 The first defendant, Oyetola Ogungbemi pleaded not guilty to the charge But the second defendant, Tolorunlase Damilola pleaded guilty to the  first count of conspiracy and not guilty to the second and third count of stealing.

 Counsel to the second defendant, Messr. A. Adewunmi prayed the court to allow his client change her plead to the first count.

 Adewunmi submitted that his client pleaded guilty because she did not understand English which was used to read the charge.

 The Chief Magistrate, Charity Adeyanju, however discountenanced the counsel’s plea, stating that the defendant was asked the language she understood best before the charge was read to her.

 The prosecuting counsel,  Inspector Uloh Goodluck, informed the court that he has four witnesses.

He applied for an adjournment to enable him assemble all his witnesses and study the case file.

 The first defence counsel, N.M Ogungbemi,  however did not object the application, but prayed the court to grant the first defendant bail in a very liberal terms.

The Chief Magistrate, Charity Adeyanju, granted the first defendant bail of N500,000 and one surety in like sum.

 Charity, however did the grant the second defendant bail as regards her plead of guilty to the first count charge.

 She adjourned the case till December 11 and 12, for hearing, December 13 and 14, for defence and December 15, for judgement.