A 25 year-old family, Deji Obateru on Wednesday appeared in an Okitipupa Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State for allegedly damaging kola trees worth N1 million.

The police charged Obateru, whose address was not given with malicious damage.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendant on April 3, around 8. 30 a.m at Arowojolu Village in Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Magisterial district, forcefully entered the farm of one Olamidele Arowojolu and cut down two kola trees worth N1 million.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 451, Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, and Laws of Ondo State 2006.

After the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Dickson Ogunfuyi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum who must produce evidence of one year tax clearance paid to the state government.

He adjourned the case until July 22 for further hearing.

-NAN

BE

– July 10, 2019 @ 12:40 GMT /