Six persons comprising two teenagers and four women have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo town, Ondo State, for stealing and receiving catfish worth N1,600,000.
Ajayi Segun, 16, and Olamide Omoduyilemi, 17, were said to have stolen the catfish from a fish pond belonging to one Akinbomi Christianah and sold them to the women identified as Omotayo Monisola, 20, Idowu Sesan, 25, Kehinde Oladokun, 84, and Adeyeola Olapade, 87.
The teenagers pleaded guilty to the charges, while the women pleaded not guilty.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Akao Moremi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on November 14, 2021 at Ayeyemi in Ondo town.
Sergeant Moremi said Ajayi and Omoduyilemi had been committing the offences while the women encouraged them by buying the stolen catfish from them even when they were aware that they were stolen.
Ajayi claimed that he dropped out of primary school and resorted to stealing to enable him take care of his blind mother and other siblings.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand both teenagers in police custody to enable them stand as witnesses against other defendants.
He said offences committed contravened Sections 516, 390(9) and 383 of the criminal code cap 37 vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Monisola Ikujuni, ordered the remand of the teenagers in police custody, while other defendants were granted bail in the sum of N200,000..
The case was adjourned to December 14, 2021, for conviction and hearing.
Credit: The Nation
Leave a Reply