The Police on Friday arraigned four suspects before a Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan for allegedly conspiring to steal a TVS tricycle, worth N5 million.
The suspects are: Wasiu Abideen, 26; Ezekiah Ezekiel, 18; Seleem Odewale, 25; and Idayat Oyebade, 40.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving of stolen goods brought against them.
Consequently, the court’s President, Mrs S. M. Akintayo, granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million with two reliable sureties in like sum.
Akintayo added that while both sureties must possess a National Identification Number (NIN), one of them must be a blood relative.
She then adjourned the case until Nov. 11 for trial.
The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni, had earlier accused the defendants of allegedly committing the crime at about 9.00 a.m., between Sept. 15 and Sept. 26, at Idi-Arere area of Ibadan.
The prosecutor stated that Abideen allegedly stole the tricycle, with Reg No. JDL360QU, valued at N5 million.
According to him, Ezekiel allegedly assisted Abideen in dismantling the tricycle into various parts.
He added that Odewale knowingly received some of the tricycle parts at around NTA Road, Gate, Ibadan, but said that Oyebade’s role in the crime was still being investigated.
Ayeni noted that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 509, 390 (10A) and 429 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State 2000.
