Two teenagers and five men have appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of electrical fittings and household items worth over N28 million. 

The defendants, Sunday Odeshola, 15, Monday Ubah, 16, and David Odeshola, 45, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy,y stealing and malicious damage.

Four others, Kaman Rabiru, 27, Lawal Shaibu, 25, Nazid Abdullahi, 27, and Ibrahim Khalid, 25, were arraigned for unlawfully receiving stolen goods.

The prosecutor, Insp Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendants and others at large committed the offences between Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, at Ariwo Quarters, Owode Egbe in Abeokuta at 12:30 p.m.

He alleged that Messrs Odeshola, Odeh, and Odeshola broke into the house of Akinwale Azeez and stole an Eito inverter machine valued at N2 million, electrical wires, refrigerator compressors, and gas cooker burners, all valued at N26 million, totalling N28 million.

The prosecutor also added that Messrs Odeshola and Odey maliciously damaged one electric engine valued at N500,000, one entrance iron door valued at N150,000, one aluminium window glass valued at N50,000, and five refrigerators valued N1 million, all valued at N1.7 million.

He said Messrs Kabiru, Shaibu, Abdullahi and Khalid unlawfully received the stolen electrical wires, refrigerator compressors, and gas cooker burners.

The prosecutor said that the offences committed contravened Sections 516, 390 (9) and 427 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against each of them.

Ruling on the defendants’ bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Dr B.O Ilo, admitted them to bail in the sum of N2 million each with one surety each.

Mr Ilo said that the sureties must be bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Judiciary.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case until  Jan. 10, 2025, for hearing.

(NAN)