A timber merchant, Daisi Akinbehin, and a farmer, Funmilayo Samson, on Thursday, appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly damaging rubber trees worth N2 million.
Akinbehin, 39, and Samson, 41, whose addresses were not provided, are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, forcible entry and malicious damage.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Ayodeji Omoyeigha alleged that the defendants committed the offences on Nov. 21, at 08:00 a.m. at Araromi-Ayeka in Okitipupa.Omoyeigha told the court that the defendants forcefully entered a rubber plantation belonging to one Mrs Olufunmilayo Ayedebinu and maliciously damaged rubber trees.
He said that the offences were contrary to sections 517, 82 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Dickson Ogunfuyi, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 each and a surety each in like sum.
Ogunfuyi added that the sureties must present evidence of a year tax payment to the state government.
He adjourned the case until Jan. 30 for hearing.
(NAN)