Three arraigned for alleged ₦25m maize farm theft, damage in Oyo

By Adejayan Gbenga

Three men were arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Friday over the alleged theft and destruction of a maize plantation valued at ₦25 million.

The defendants—Olaide Oyesola (40), Sataru Yunusa (45), and Odubayo Olufisayo—whose residential addresses were not disclosed, faced a six-count charge including conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage, unlawful entry, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The prosecuting counsel, Inspector Salewa Hammed, informed the court that the defendants conspired to steal maize worth ₦5 million and maliciously damaged the plantation valued at ₦25 million. He further alleged that they unlawfully excavated sand from the farmland worth ₦23 million, assaulted workers, and forcibly chased employees of Atolans Resources Limited from the land.

Hammed stated that the defendants also unlawfully entered the land in possession of Atolans Resources Limited, which was represented in court by Adelani Adesope.

The offences were allegedly committed between January and November 2024 at Victoria Garden City, Kilometre 8, Old Oyo Road, Ibadan.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are in violation of Section 383 and punishable under Sections 81, 249(d), 390(9), 451, and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Magistrate Maaruf Mudashiru granted them bail in the sum of ₦5 million each, with one surety each in like sum, and adjourned the case until August 7, 2025, for hearing.