Ekiti: Five docked for stealing 600 bags of cement

The ongoing construction of the new Erekesan Market otherwise
known as “Oja Oba” in Ado-Ekiti by the Ayo Fayose administration
has been stalled by alleged theft of about 600 bags of cement and
other materials by five workers at the site.

The five workers: Jegede Olusola,
Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and
Dada Tunde were arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s
Court on Thursday on two counts charge of
stealing.

They were all charged to court by Ekiti State government before
Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo. The charge was filed against them
by Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola.

Apart from stealing 600 bags of cement worth N1.5 million, the
accused persons also allegedly stole 16mm iron rods worth N35,000,
one roll of binding wire worth N112,000 and 180 pieces of marine
board worth N378,000 with all the stolen items valued at
N2,055,000.00.

The alleged offence is punishable under Sections 390 and 516 of
the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

Work on the new market had stalled for a couple of months which
had been attributed to the alleged stealing of construction
materials by workers engaged by the contractor who has been in race
against time to deliver the project as scheduled.

The charge sheet reads:  “That you, Jegede Kayode Olusola,
Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and Dada Tunde between
October 6, 2016 to March 31, 2017 did conspire to steal 600 bags of
cement worth N1,530,000, 16mm iron rods worth N35,000, one roll of
binding wire worth N112,000, 180 pieces of marine board worth
N378,000 total value of N2.05m, property of Ekiti State Government
at the site of ultramodern Oba’s Market, Old Garage, Ado Ekiti
within the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District, thereby committed an
offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap
C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the
prosecutor asked the presiding Chief Magistrate for a short
adjournment to enable him respond to the counter-affidavit and
Preliminary Objection filed against the charge.

“We were served this morning, we thought we will be able to
respond to the processes but unfortunately we are still typing
stage.

“Consequent upon this, we will be asking for a very short
adjournment.”

The defence counsel, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, did not object to the
application.

In his ruling,  Aiyenimo adjourned the case
till August 17 for hearing.

The ongoing construction of the new Erekesan Market otherwise
known as “Oja Oba” in Ado-Ekiti by the Ayo Fayose administration
has been stalled by alleged theft of about 600 bags of cement and
other materials by five workers at the site.

The five workers: Jegede Olusola,
Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and
Dada Tunde were arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s
Court on Thursday on two counts charge of
stealing.

They were all charged to court by Ekiti State government before
Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo. The charge was filed against them
by Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola.

Apart from stealing 600 bags of cement worth N1.5 million, the
accused persons also allegedly stole 16mm iron rods worth N35,000,
one roll of binding wire worth N112,000 and 180 pieces of marine
board worth N378,000 with all the stolen items valued at
N2,055,000.00.

The alleged offence is punishable under Sections 390 and 516 of
the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

Work on the new market had stalled for a couple of months which
had been attributed to the alleged stealing of construction
materials by workers engaged by the contractor who has been in race
against time to deliver the project as scheduled.

The charge sheet reads:  “That you, Jegede Kayode Olusola,
Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and Dada Tunde between
October 6, 2016 to March 31, 2017 did conspire to steal 600 bags of
cement worth N1,530,000, 16mm iron rods worth N35,000, one roll of
binding wire worth N112,000, 180 pieces of marine board worth
N378,000 total value of N2.05m, property of Ekiti State Government
at the site of ultramodern Oba’s Market, Old Garage, Ado Ekiti
within the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District, thereby committed an
offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap
C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the
prosecutor asked the presiding Chief Magistrate for a short
adjournment to enable him respond to the counter-affidavit and
Preliminary Objection filed against the charge.

“We were served this morning, we thought we will be able to
respond to the processes but unfortunately we are still typing
stage.

“Consequent upon this, we will be asking for a very short
adjournment.”

The defence counsel, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, did not object to the
application.

In his ruling,  Aiyenimo adjourned the case
till August 17 for hearing.