Six men have been brought before an Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State over the alleged theft of cocoa beans valued at N200 million and the receipt of stolen goods.
The defendants — Florunsho Michael Itapere, Kehinde Ola Omotayo, Kole Moses, Femi Babatunde, Adebiyi Abiodun Michael and Adewoye Akingbola — were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed between April 2025 and April 2026 at Agro Traders Limited, located in the Alagbaka area of Akure.
Prosecuting counsel, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the accused persons, alongside others still at large, conspired to commit the offences.
He alleged that four of the defendants — Itapere, Omotayo, Moses and Babatunde — unlawfully took about five tonnes of cocoa beans, estimated at roughly 500 bags and valued at N200 million, belonging to one Korede Bolawaji.
The prosecutor further informed the court that Michael, Akingbola and other suspects still at large allegedly received the cocoa beans despite knowing they had been stolen.
The six defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Akintimehin told the court that the prosecution intended to call four witnesses during the trial and requested an adjournment to enable adequate preparation of its case.
Counsel for the defendants, H.O. Orishameyinti, urged the court to admit his clients to bail on favourable terms, assuring the court that they would be available for trial whenever required.
In his ruling, Magistrate Adedapo Sunday granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1.5 million with two sureties in like amount.
The magistrate also directed that the sureties must provide verifiable means of identification as part of the bail conditions.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 1, 2026, for hearing.
0 Comments