Two brothers – Olaniran Obajulaye, 40; and Adeolu Obajulaye, 36, were on Thursday arraigned before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly destroying economy trees and property worth over N3.72 million.

The defendants, a driver and a farmer respectively, of no fixed addresses, are facing a four-count charge of felony, assault, malicious damage and stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendants and four others still at large, committed the offences on April 22 at about 10.00a.m at Luyi camp, Ajagba, in the Irele Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Omoyeigha said that the defendants assaulted the complainant, Ebunola Akingboju, by hitting her with a stick over a farmland dispute.

He said that the defendants also destroyed economy trees; 100 banana trees valued at N3 million, 15 kolanut trees valued at N150,000 and a modern sign post valued at N500,000.

The prosecutor said that the defendants also destroyed a T-Shirt valued at N11,000, stole one iron file worth N2,000, three snails, valued at N9,000 and N50,000 cash totalling N3.722 million.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 355, 451 and 390(9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate Patrick Ajele granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two each sureties in like sum.
He added that the sureties, who must reside within the court jurisdiction, must show and present evidence of two years tax payment to the state government.

He adjourned the case until September 17, for further hearing.

(NAN)