Man, 29, docked over alleged house breaking, theft

Funmilayo Okunade

A 29-year-old man, Ezekiel Babalola, accused of breaking into an apartment and stealing, on Tuesday, appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court.

Babalola, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of breaking in and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp Olubu Apata, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in January at about 03:30 p.m. in Ado-Ekiti.

Apata alleged that the defendant broke into the house of one Amos Gabriel.

He alleged that the defendant stole a Tiger generator valued at N70,000, three jean trousers, one cardigan and a singlet, all valued at N50,000.

The prosecutor said the total value of the stolen items was N120,000.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 322(a) and 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr Gboyega Abiola, urged the court to grant his client bail with a promise that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Awosika, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum, who must be a blood relation.

She adjourned the case until April 10 for definite hearing.

In a related matter, the prosecutor told the court that Babalola and two others at large committed another offence on Jan. 24, at about 6:00 a.m., at Ire-Ekiti.

He alleged that the  defendant and two others at large stole 17 kegs of red palm oil valued at N558,000 belonging to one Mrs Taiwo Adeuya.

Apata said the offence contravened Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, while his counsel, Mr Gboyega Abiola, urged the court to grant his client bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Awosika, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case till March 16 for definite hearing.

(NAN)