Farmer arraigned for burning N15m crops at Ara-Ekiti

A farmer, Ikpe Boniface, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti magistrate court, for setting crops and growing plants on fire at Awo Ara-Ekiti. The police prosecutor, Inspector Adejare Eleja, told the court yesterday that the defendant and others still at large on February 15, 2021, at Awo Ara-Ekiti within Igede Magisterial district, conspired to commit […]

A farmer, Ikpe Boniface, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti magistrate court, for setting crops and growing plants on fire at Awo Ara-Ekiti.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Adejare Eleja, told the court yesterday that the defendant and others still at large on February 15, 2021, at Awo Ara-Ekiti within Igede Magisterial district, conspired to commit an offence by setting crops and growing plants on fire.

Inspector Eleja added that Boniface and others at large, did unlawfully destroy the crops and growing plants on fire, which are properties of Chief Jerome Oluwafemi and others, valued at about N15 million.

The prosecutor said the offence committed is punishable under Section 445, 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

He added that he should be granted a short adjournment to enable him to study the case file and bring his witnesses numbering about 10 to probe the case.

Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Ogunleye Abiola, urged the court to grant his client bail in libral terms, promising that they would not jump bail.

The Magistrate, Mrs. E. M. Salau, granted bail of N200,000 with a surety in like sum. The surety must have a landed property in the magisterial district, produce their voter’s card attached to an affidavit.

The case was adjourned until July 19, 2021.