The Ogun State police command on Tuesday arraigned a 34-year-old farmer, Ariyo Fadipe, before an Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court over alleged theft of items valued at N500m, property of the former state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
Fadipe, whose farmland and the former governor’s hotel – Golf Resort Hotel at Oke Mosan – is demarcated by a single fence, was said to have committed the offence sometimes in April, 2014, at about 6pm.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Famous Edigbue, said the accused person burgled a building belonging to Daniel and stole several items, all valued at N500m.
He said, “The accused stole 300 pieces of 32 inches plasma television, two coffee table plated with gold, 40 pieces of three-horse power air conditioner, 30 pieces of B205 swivel chair and 20 C63 bar table.
“The accused, a farmer, whose farm is close to the golf resort, allegedly burgled the building, where all the items were stored, and carted away the items in batches”.
The police prosecutor said acting on a tip-off, the police traced the accused and caught him in the act with four 32 inch plasma television.
He said the offences contravened Sections 516, 410, 411 (2) and 390 (3) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, who is of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge of burglary and theft.
The defence counsel, Adebayo Ogungbemi applied for the bail of the accused in liberal terms.
The Magistrate, Mr Babajide Ilo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the accused be remanded in Ibara prison till the bail conditions are met.
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