Akure court remands 27-year-old over alleged N2m farm produce theft

By Boye Oyeyemi

An Akure Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State has ordered the remand of a 27-year-old man, Isaiah Akinkuolie, over the alleged theft of cocoa, kolanut and cocoyam valued at N2 million.

Akinkuolie was arraigned on three counts bordering on stealing, threat to life and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The prosecutor, Inspector D.O. Ifidon, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on October 7, 2026, at Kolawole Camp in the Akure Magisterial District. He alleged that the defendant stole farm produce worth N2 million belonging to Siji Akinkuolie.

The defendant was also accused of threatening to kill the complainant and engaging in conduct likely to disrupt public peace in the community. The charges were brought under relevant provisions of the Ondo State Criminal Code.

However, Akinkuolie pleaded not guilty to all three charges when they were read to him in court.

Following the plea, Ifidon urged the court to adjourn the case to allow the prosecution to prepare for trial and present its three witnesses. Defence counsel, D.C. Nwokolo, subsequently applied for bail, urging the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms.

In his ruling, the magistrate, O. Omotosho, said he would consider the arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defence before deciding on the bail application. He consequently ordered that the defendant be remanded pending the ruling.

The court adjourned the case until November 6, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.