Siblings Arraigned For Allegedly Destroying Economic Trees Worth ₦3.72m Ondo

The Nigerian Police on Thursday dragged two siblings before an Ondo State Magistrate Court sitting at Okitipupa for allegedly destroying trees and property worth over ₦3.72m.

The siblings; Olaniran and Adeolu Obajulaye aged 40 and 36 respectively were arraigned on four-count of felony, assault, malicious damage and stealing.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Ayodeji Omoyeigha informed the court that the siblings committed the offences on April 22nd 2024 at about 10AM around Luyi camp, Ajagba in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to him Olaniran and Adeolu who are driver and farmer respectively and others now at large assaulted the complaint named Ebunola Akingboju by hitting him with a stick over a farmland.

“They destroyed economic trees namely, 100 bananas valued at N3 million, 15 kola nut trees worth ₦150,000 and a modern sign post valued N500,000.

“They also destroyed a T-shirt worth ₦11,000, carted away one iron file valued N2,000, three snails which cost #9,000, stole ₦50,000 cash.”

Omoyeigha noted that “the worth of everything they stole and destroyed totalled ₦3.72million.”

He stressed that the offences committed contravened Section 516,355, 451 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol I, Laws of Ondo State.

Meanwhile, the duo pleaded not guilty to the offences brought against them.

The Presiding Magistrate, Patrick Ajele granted the two siblings bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each with two sureties.

Thereafter, he adjourned the matter till September 17th 2024 for further hearing.