Two men were on Friday arraigned before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly setting fire to a palm fruit plantation and maliciously destroying cassava stems valued at N2.4 million.
The police charged Sunday Omopelumi, 45, a farmer, and Iseoluwa Adegbehindo, 30, an aluminium fabricator, with conspiracy to commit felony, arson, and malicious damage.
According to the Police Prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, the defendants conspired on April 13 at about 3 p.m. at Ladan Farm in Ode-Aye, Okitipupa Magisterial District, to commit the offences.
Orogbemi told the court that the duo trespassed on farmland belonging to one Pius Apalara after a dispute and set fire to his palm fruit plantation valued at N1.4 million.
He further alleged that they also maliciously destroyed young cassava stems estimated at N800,000.
The offences are said to contravene Sections 516, 445(a), and 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate Olanrewaju Àdelegan granted each defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of tax payment to the state government for the past two years.
The case was adjourned until June 3 for further hearing.
(NAN)