Three docked for allegedly robbing villagers in Osun

The police, on Thursday, docked three persons in an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attacking a village in Osun and robbing residents of their valuables.

Bisiriyu Ojuade, 57; Yahaya Ojuade, 55 and Sikiru Ojuade, 46, are being tried for conspiracy, breaking and entry, stealing, illegal possession of weapons and breach of public peace.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi told the court that the Ojuades on July 15, 2019, about 10:00 a.m., allegedly attacked Balogun village in Ile-Ife by firing gunshots to scare the residents.

Osanyintuyi said that the defendants broke into Jimoh Balogun Farm in the village, and stole N70, 000 belonging to one Fasilat Moshood and Ibrahim Amodu.

He said that they also broke into the home of one Ashifat Ajibade and took her five cutlasses and school bag containing N10,000.

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Osanyintuyi stated that the defendants, who were also armed, could not give a satisfactory account of the arms and ammunition in their possession.

He stated that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of public peace by firing gunshots into the air to instil fear in the villagers before dispossessing them of their valuables.

Osanyintuyi told the court that the offences contravened sections 249(D), 383, 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Joseph Owolawi granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Owolawi said that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and they must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, as well as present three recent passport photographs each.

He adjourned the case until Jan. 17, for hearing.

(NAN)