Ekiti: Man arraigned over alleged theft of soft drinks worth N1.1m

A 32-year-old sales representative, Yakubu Temitope, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly stealing cartons of Maltina and Climax soft drinks valued at N1.1 million.

Temitope, who resides at No. 10, Oke Ebedo Street, Ilawe-Ekiti, is facing a two-count charge of stealing.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Olasunkanmi Bamikole, the alleged offence took place on April 1, 2024, in Ado-Ekiti.

Bamikole told the court that the defendant, who worked as a sales representative for OFAGE Beer Company, was accused of stealing 40 cartons of Maltina pet and 40 cartons of Climax pet, together worth N1.1 million.

The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant diverted the proceeds from the sale of the goods for personal use.

In addition, Bamikole said Temitope stole 40 cartons of Maltina pet, valued at N180,000, belonging to a company staff member, Mr Bankole Olarewaju.

He noted that the offences violated Section 302 of the Ekiti State Criminal Law, 2021.

Bamikole asked the court for a short adjournment to review the case file and prepare his witnesses.

Defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Daramola, requested bail for his client, assuring the court that the defendant would remain available for trial.

Chief Magistrate Adefunke Anoma granted bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in the same amount. She directed that the sureties must be executive members of the Landlords Association in the defendant’s community.

The case was adjourned to September 9 for hearing.

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