Three individuals – Joseph Ayomide (22), Moloney Adamu (20), and Mercy Aminu (25) – appeared before the Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo on Thursday, facing charges of allegedly stealing property worth N2.2 million.

The trio, whose addresses were not disclosed, are accused of a three-count conspiracy charge involving theft and receiving stolen property, to which they pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, the defendants, along with an accomplice still at large, committed the offences on October 24, 2023, around 7:400 p.m. on Mama Nigeria Street, Ayeka, Okitipupa.

The first and second defendants, Ayomide and Adamu, allegedly stole items including an ST Lister diesel engine worth N1.6 million, a digester machine valued at N250,000, a cassava cracker worth N70,000, and an iron broiler machine worth N300,000, all belonging to Omolafe Ololagbose.

Aminu, the third defendant, was accused of receiving the stolen ST Lister engine knowingly.

Chief Magistrate Cletus Ojuola granted bail to the first and second defendants at N200,000 each, along with two sureties each in the same amount. The third defendant was granted bail at N150,000 with one surety in a similar sum.

The sureties were required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to the state government. The case was adjourned until May 10 for further hearing.