Man in court for allegedly setting fire to cash crops farm worth N12m

The Police in Osun, on Wednesday, arraigned one Mohmodu Abubakar, 25, before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly setting fire to cash crops worth N12 million.

The Prosecutor, Insp Jimoh Irewole, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Jan. 12, at 2:00 p.m., at Isaasa Area on Ode-Omu Road, Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Governemnt Area of Osun.

Irewole said that the defendant willfully and maliciously set fire to cocoa, plantain and oil palm plantations, all valued N12 million, property of one Salawu Ganiyu.

He said that the defendant also forcefully entered into a farm with his cattle and damaged plantain trees worth N500,000, property of same Salawu Ganiyu.

According to the prosecutor, the offence was contrary to Section 2(1) of the Forceful Entry and Illegal Occupation of Landed Property (Prohibition), Law of Osun, 2019.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to three-count charge preferred against him

The Defence Counsel, Mr Kose Adewole, applied for the bail of the defendant in most liberal terms, and pledged that his client would not jump bail.

Magistrate O.B. Adeduwura granted the defendant N500,000 bail and with two sureties in like amount.

Adeduwura said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and should provide evidence of three years consecutive tax payment to the Osun government.

The magistrate also ordered that the addresses of the sureties should be verified by the Prosecutor.

She subsequently adjourned the case until Feb. 3 for mention.