The Ekiti State Police Command has arraigned two men, Wasiu Sadiq (26) and Joseph Ode (22), at an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ado Ekiti District, over alleged malicious damage to economic trees.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told 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.”
Oriyomi stated that the defendant, “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 prosecutor said.
Counsel for the defendants, Gbenga Bejide, urged the court to grant his clients bail, saying they are labourers employed to fell trees by a licensed tree agent.
Bejide said that his clients would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted bail of N250,000 with one surety each in like sum.
The Chief Magistrate ordered that the licence of the employer must be produced.
He adjourned the case till September 16 for hearing.
PUNCH.
