Six arraigned in Ekiti over theft of N10m economic trees

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Six persons have been arraigned by the Ekiti State Police Command before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti over alleged conspiracy, forceful entry and theft of economic trees valued at N10m.

The defendants, identified as John Adebobua, 45; Busuyi Adebobua, 42; Adeyemi Adebobua, 50; Azeez Mudasiru, 38; Joseph Adebobua, 53; and Adebayo Olowokere, 30, were brought before the court on multiple criminal charges.

The prosecutor, Inspector Elijah Adejare, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences in January 2026 at Ilomu-Ekiti, within the Iyin-Ekiti Magisterial District.

Adejare alleged that the accused conspired among themselves to forcibly enter a parcel of land said to be in the lawful possession of James Odeyemi, head of the Eleku family.

He further informed the court that two of the defendants, Adeyemi Adebobua and Azeez Mudasiru, allegedly stole 16 economic trees valued at N10m belonging to Odeyemi.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences contravene Sections 421, 65, 295 and 302(1) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Defence counsel, Blessing Falaye, urged the court to grant bail, assuring that the defendants would not abscond, while Gbenga Ariyibi appeared as watching brief for the nominal complainant.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs K. O. Awosika, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum and evidence of two years’ tax clearance. The case was adjourned until March 19, 2026, for definite hearing.