Man docked for allegedly setting N12m crops on fire
The police in Osun, on Wednesday, arraigned one Momodu Abubakar, 25, before an Ile-Ife magistrates’ court for allegedly setting fire to cash crops worth N12 million. The prosecutor, Insp Jimoh Irewole, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Jan. 12, at 2pm, at Isaasa Area on Ode-Omu Road, Ipetumodu in Ife North […]
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The police in Osun, on Wednesday, arraigned one Momodu Abubakar, 25, before an Ile-Ife magistrates’ court for allegedly setting fire to cash crops worth N12 million.
The prosecutor, Insp Jimoh Irewole, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Jan. 12, at 2pm, at Isaasa Area on Ode-Omu Road, Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun.
Irewole said the defendant willfully and maliciously set fire to cocoa, plantain and oil palm plantations, all valued at N12 million, property of one Salawu Ganiyu.
He said the defendant also forcefully entered into a farm with his cattle and damaged plantain trees worth N500,000, property of the same Salawu Ganiyu.
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According to the prosecutor, the offence was contrary to Section 2(1) of the Forceful Entry and Illegal Occupation of Landed Property (Prohibition), Law of Osun, 2019 (NAN)
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against him.
The defence counsel, Mr Kose Adewole, applied for bail of the defendant in the most liberal terms and pledged that his client would not jump bail.
Magistrate O. B. Adeduwura granted the defendant N500,000 bail and two sureties in like amount.
Adeduwura said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and provide evidence of three years of consecutive tax payment to the Osun government.
The magistrate also ordered that the addresses of the sureties should be verified by the Prosecutor.
She subsequently adjourned the case until Feb. 3 for mention. (NAN)