Five men accused of stealing cows valued at N5.6 million were arraigned on Friday before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo.
The defendants — Usman Mohammed (29), Musa Oseni (37), Adesina Ogunwale (60), Toyin Alayande (42), and Tobi Mudasiru (42) — all with no fixed address, are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Kehinde Fawunmi, the alleged offences occurred in October 2024 at midnight in the Ile-Ise Awo area of Abeokuta.
Fawunmi told the court that Mohammed, Oseni, and Alayande conspired to steal four cows belonging to three individuals: Isiaka Mumuni, Adamu Mohammed, and Mohammed Sanni.
Specifically, they were accused of stealing two cows worth N1.8 million from Mumuni, two others valued at N2.3 million from Mohammed, and a cow worth N1.5 million from Sanni.
“The complainants began to notice that cows were going missing from their settlement,” Fawunmi explained. “Eventually, one of the complainants’ brothers caught Usman and Oseni attempting to untie a cow, which led to their arrest.”
Further police investigations reportedly led to the arrest of Ogunwale and Mudasiru, both identified as butchers and alleged receivers of the stolen cows, which had been delivered to them by Alayande, a driver.
The offences, Fawunmi stated, contravene Sections 516, 383, and 390 subsections (3), (4a), (4g), and (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Magistrate Olubanke Odumosu-Akeba granted bail to Mohammed, Oseni, and Alayande in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties in like sum. Ogunwale and Mudasiru were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each, also with two sureties.
However, the court ordered the remand of Mohammed, Oseni, and Alayande at the Ibara Correctional Centre until they meet their bail conditions.
The case was adjourned until May 8 for hearing.
(NAN)