A 55-year-old farmer, Sunday Olowosoga, appeared before the Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State on Friday over alleged malicious damage of some crops and palm trees worth N3 million.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge bordering on misdemeanor and malicious damage.

The police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant and one other person, who is at large, conspired to commit a misdemeanour on September 11 at about 10:00 a.m. at Lurere village in Ode-Irele, Ode-Irele magisterial district.

Mr Orogbemi said the defendant and one other at large took a bulldozer to Lurere village and destroyed some crops and young palm trees valued at N3 million.

According to the prosecutor, the destruction is over an undisclosed argument with one Samuel Oyedele, the owner of the farmland.

He also stated that the defendant committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 517 and 457 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The chief magistrate, Olarenwaju Adelegan, granted the defendant N1.2 million bail and one surety in like sum.

Mr Adelegan added that the surety must be a resident within the court’s jurisdiction and also present evidence of two years’ tax payment to the state government.

He adjourned the case until November 10 for further hearing.

(NAN)