Six arraigned in Akure over alleged N200m cocoa theft

By Boye Oyeyemi

Six men have been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate’s Court over the alleged theft of cocoa beans valued at N200 million in Ondo State.

The defendants, identified as Florunsho Itapere, Kehinde Omotayo, Kole Moses, Femi Babatunde, Adebiyi Michael and Adewoye Akingbola, were docked on charges of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.

Prosecuting counsel, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the suspects allegedly committed the offences between April 2025 and April 2026 at Agro Traders Limited, located in the Alagbaka area of Akure.

Akintimehin alleged that four of the defendants unlawfully took about 500 bags of cocoa beans weighing five tons and belonging to one Korede Bolawaji.

He further informed the court that the stolen produce was valued at N200 million.

The prosecutor also accused Adebiyi Michael and Adewoye Akingbola of knowingly receiving the stolen cocoa beans, allegedly in collaboration with other suspects still at large.

With all six defendants pleading not guilty to the charges, the prosecution subsequently had to seek an adjournment, stating that four witnesses would be called during the trial.

Defence counsel, H.O. Orishameyinti, further urged the court to admit the defendants to bail. As a result, Magistrate Adedapo Sunday granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1.5 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until July 1, 2026, for hearing.