Two men, Lamidi Lateef, 45, and Gbadegesin Lekan, 32, who allegedly attempted to vandalise a vehicle and steal its parts, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan.
The defendants, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted theft. They, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that the defendants committed the offences with some others still at large on Aug. 7 at about 11:30 a.m. at Araromi Market area of Ibadan.
Durodola alleged that the defendants attempted to steal parts from a Toyota Corolla car with registration number 11A 05 OY, valued at N47 million and belonging to Mr Falana Adebayo.
She said the defendants were caught by passersby and handed over to the police.
Durodola said the offences contravened Sections 509 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.
Defence counsel, Mr Babatunde Ajijola, urged the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
Ogunkanmi ordered that one of the sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other should be related to the defendant.
She adjourned the case until Feb. 16, 2027, for mention.
