Man arraigned for breaking into shop, theft

On Thursday, a 25-year-old man named Azeez Sodiq was brought before the Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on charges of shopbreaking and theft. 

Sodiq, who has no fixed address, faces a two-count charge related to the alleged offences.

Inspector Olasunkanmi Bamikole, the prosecutor, informed the court that the accused committed the crimes on July 18 at approximately 3 a.m. on Ifesowapo Street, next to Reference Point filling station on Afao Road in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Bamikole detailed that Sodiq broke into the shop of Adeleke Aderemi and stole several items including a welding machine worth N50,000, an unspecified-value grander machine, a three-feet iron door valued at N50,000, and a hand-made charcoal pot worth N16,000.

Other stolen items included a cable worth N55,000, a sledgehammer valued at N12,000, and a recession wire valued at N350,000.

Also, on August 4 at about 7 a.m., Sodiq allegedly stole a wheelbarrow valued at N28,500 from Mrs. Adegboye Arike and brought it to Adeleke Aderemi for repair.

The prosecutor noted that these offences violate Section 322 and are punishable under Section 322(2) and Section 295, with penalties outlined under Section 302(1)(a) of the Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

The court has been requested to adjourn the case to allow the prosecutor time to review the case file and prepare to present witnesses.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Saka Afunso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum.

Afunso adjourned the case until August 15 for hearing.