A magistrates’ Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital on Tuesday arraigned three herdsmen for alleged unlawful destruction and malicious damage of a rice farm worth N4.5 million.
The accused persons: Nafiu Mohammed (20), Mohammed Audu (20) and Bumba Karba (17) and others at large grazed were arraigned by the police on a count charge of malicious damage before Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adesoji Adegboye.
Prosecuting Inspector Johnson Okunade said the defendants committed the offence on January 7, 2020 at Apinrin Alapaye Farm Settlement in Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area.
He alleged the defendants with their cattle on the farm located at Okemesi Ekiti caused massive destruction to produce on the land.
The prosecutor said total damage caused by the accused person to the farm belonging to the complainant, Mr. Olusola Sanni was N4.5 million
He noted that the offences contravened section 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
The prosecutor asked the court for adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.
Their counsel, Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, promising it that they would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adesoji Adegboye, in his ruling granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
