The Ekiti State Police Command has charged two men, 26-year-old Wasiu Sadiq and 22-year-old Joseph Ode, before an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court in the Ado Ekiti District over allegations of malicious damage to economic trees.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court on Tuesday that “the two defendants at about 8 a.m. on August 5, 2025, in Emure Ekiti within the Emure Ekiti Magistrate District did conspire together to commit felony to wit malicious damage.”
According to Oriyomi, the defendants “on the same date, time and place, did maliciously damage a farm plantation valued at N2m, property of the Ekiti State Government.
“They also did steal economic trees valued at N2m, property of the Ekiti State Government. The offence is punishable under Section 421, 354(1)(8), 302(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.”
“The defence counsel, Gbenga Bejide, appealed to the court to release his clients on bail, noting that they are labourers hired to cut trees by a licensed tree agent. Bejide assured the court that the accused would not abscond.
Presiding over the matter, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted each defendant bail in the sum of N250,000, with one surety in the same amount, and ordered that the employer’s licence be presented. The case was adjourned to September 16 for hearing.
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