The Ekiti State Police Command has brought two men before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti over allegations of malicious damage and theft involving economic trees valued at ₦2 million.
The defendants, Wasiu Sadiq, 26, and Joseph Ode, 22, were arraigned on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun in connection with an incident said to have occurred on 5 August 2025 in Emure Ekiti.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that “the two defendants at about 8 a.m. on August 5, 2025, in Emure Ekiti within the Emure Ekiti Magistrate District did conspire together to commit felony to wit malicious damage.”
Oriyomi further alleged that, “on the same date, time and place, they maliciously damaged a farm plantation valued at ₦2 million, property of the Ekiti State Government. They also did steal economic trees valued at ₦2 million, property of the Ekiti State Government.”
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 421, 354(1)(8), and 302(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.
Defence counsel, Gbenga Bejide, urged the court to grant his clients bail, stating that they were “labourers employed to fell trees by a licensed tree agent” and had no intention of absconding.
Chief Magistrate Adeosun granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦250,000, with one surety in like sum. He further ordered that the licence of the alleged employer be produced as part of the bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned to 16 September 2025 for hearing.
