Three men were arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Friday over alleged theft and destruction of a maize plantation valued at ₦25 million.

The defendants—Olaide Oyesola (40), Sataru Yunusa (45), and Odubayo Olufisayo—whose house addresses were not disclosed, are being charged with a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage, unlawful entry, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The prosecuting counsel, Insp Salewa Hammed, told the court that the defendants conspired to steal maize worth ₦5 million and maliciously damaged a plantation valued at ₦25 million.

He further alleged that the defendants unlawfully excavated sand from the farmland valued at ₦23 million, assaulted workers, and forcibly chased employees of Atolans Resources Limited from the land.

Hammed alleged that the defendants also unlawfully entered the property in possession of Atolans Resources Limited, which was represented in court by one Adelani Adesope.

He said the defendants committed the alleged offences between January and November 2024 at Victoria Garden City, Kilometer 8, Old Oyo Road, Ibadan.

Hammed said the offences contravened Section 383 and are punishable under Sections 81, 249(d), 390(9), 451, and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Magistrate Maaruf Mudashiru granted them bail in the sum of ₦5 million each, with one surety each in like sum.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Aug. 7 for hearing.(NAN)

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned an estate agent,  Ntai Bagshaw,  for allegedly defrauding accommodation seekers of N70 million.

Bagshaw  appeared  before an Ikeja Special Offences Court alongside his company, Terraworks Ltd.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

EFCC counsel, Mrs Fadeke Giwa, urged the court to remand the defendant pending hearing and determination of his bail application.

Giwa also prayed the court for a trial date.

Justice Ismail Ijelu ordered that  the defendant should be kept at the Ikoyi custodial facility.

He adjourned the case until May 13 for  hearing of bail application of the defendant.

EFCC is alleging  that  the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained under false pretences, money meant for payment for a detached Duplex on Renat Axis in Ogudu GRA, Lagos State.

The commission  also alleged that the defendant unlawfully converted the sum to his personal use.

According to EFCC, the offences contravene Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, and Section 278(2)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2011. (NAN)

 An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday remanded a man, Erickson Iyanagbe for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old minor (names withheld).

Iyanagbe was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a one-count charge of defilement.

The defendant, whose residential address was not given, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Abiola Soladoye ordered the the remand of the defendant at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial and determination of the case.

Soladoye adjourned the case until July 9 for the commencement of trial.

The State Counsel, Mrs Ibukun Ibikunle told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence sometimes in 2023 on Chosen Avenue, Greenville Estate in Ajah, Lagos.

Ibikunle alleged that the defendant defiled the minor by having an unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

The
prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)