Farmer arraigned over alleged unlawful damage of property

A farmer, John Ologunleko, on Thursday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged unlawful damage of property, valued at N1.6 million.

Ologunleko, 60, of no fixed address, is facing a five-count charge, bordering on felony, encroachment, unlawful damage, threat to life and breach of peace.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Ayodeji Omoyeigha told the court that the accused on July 10 at about 11:30 a.m along Okitipupa-Aye road encroached into a property, belonging to a firm, known as Estate Company.

Omoyeigha said that the farmer threatened Manager of the Estate Company, one Owolemi Akinmoluwa, with cutlass and unlawfully damaged the fence of the company, valued at N1.6 million.

He said that Ologunleko also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by forcefully planting cassava on the company’s land without the permission of the company.

The prosecutor said that the damage of property contravened Sections 413, 86(1), 451(2a), 241(d) and 81 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Dickson Ogunfuyi, granted Ologunleko bail in the sum of N500, 000 with a surety in like sum.

Ogunfuyi said that the surety must produce evidence of one-year tax clearance as part of the bail conditions.

He adjourned the case until Oct. 12 for further hearing.

Credit: Nigeria News