The Ekiti State Police Command has arraigned four individuals before an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, over the alleged theft of belongings worth N1.98 million.
The defendants—Umar Lawal, 18; Useni Usman, 25; Abbar Senkikami, 25; and Nuru Useni, 25—were also charged with damaging property worth N1.5 million.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court on Tuesday that “the suspects, on September 5 and 7 at about 02:30 a.m. at No. 3, Irona Street, in Ado Ekiti, conspired with one another and broke into the residence of Pastor Obebe Michael.
“On the same dates, times, and place, the defendants stole one electrical wire and distribution board worth N500,000, a mattress worth N80,000, a gas cooker with cylinder valued at N450,000, a Hiace fridge valued at N900,000, and an iron bar valued at N50,000, totalling N1,980,000—property of Pastor Obebe Michael.”
The prosecutor added that the defendants maliciously damaged the roof ceiling, glass, net, and distribution box with a house wire ring, valued at N1,500,000—property of Pastor Michael.
He said that “the offence committed by the defendants is punishable under sections 421, 322, 302, 354, and 345 of the Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2021.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel for the defendants, Opeyemi Esan, urged the court to grant bail, promising that his clients would not abscond and would provide credible sureties.
The Chief Magistrate, Adebayo Adeosun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each and adjourned the case until October 15 for a hearing.
