A Protocol Officer in charge of palliatives, Sunday Akinleye aged 43 and a driver named Adebiyi Azeez, 50; both officials of Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oyo State government have been arraigned before an Iwo-Road Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for allegedly stealing and selling 40 bags of sugar from the state’s COVID-19 palliatives.
It was gathered that, the defendants were charged alongside a trader, one Kafayat Babalola, for allegedly receiving and buying the stolen items.
The defendants are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and receiving stolen goods.
The Prosecutor, ASP Sunday Ogunremi, told the court that Adebiyi and Akinleye conspired to commit the offences.
Ogunremi said: “Adebiyi and Akinleye, stole 40 bags of Dangote Sugar, valued at N60,000, being COVID-19 palliatives and property of Oyo State government.
“The duo of Adebiyi and Akinleye used the official vehicle of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to convey the goods to the buyer.
“The third defendant, Mrs Kafayat Babalola, a trader at Agbeni Market, Ibadan, received the 40 bags of sugar, knowing full well that they were not for sale, being the property of the state government,” said Ogunremi.
He said that the offense contravened Sections 516, 390 (9) and 427 of the Criminal Code of Oyo State, 2000.
Ogunremi stated that the offence was committed on Dec. 30, 2020, at the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Taiwo Oladiran, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N20,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
The case has been adjourned till February 8, for hearing.
