N3m cultivated corn: 2 charged with arson

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State has remanded two men; Isiaku Ayuba, 2 0, and Shaibu Bello, 23, in prison for allegedly setting fire on loads of corn worth N3milion.

The goods were said to be inside 17 pick-up vehicles.

The chief magistrate, Oladele Adisa remanded the two defendants in Agodi prison pending when the court would receive legal advice from the Oyo State ministry of justice. Adisa, then, adjourned the case until February 22, for mention.

Ayuba and Bello of Okaka are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and arson.

The police prosecutor, Opeyemi Olagunju, told the court that the two suspects with others at large conspired to commit the offences on November 17, 2018.

According to Olagunju, the two defendants had on November 17, 2018 at about 12:00 pm, set fire on 17 pick-up vehicles containing bags of corn, valued at N3million

He disclosed that the corn belonged to one Lateef Atirinu of Ariyewon, Okaka.

“The two defendants and others at large were alleged to have gone to the farm to collect maize stalks to build their houses. The farmer was said to have stopped them with a plea that they should allow him finish harvesting his farm produce.

“The defendants were, however, alleged to have set fire on the pick-up vans containing loads of cultivated corn,’’ Olagunju said.

The prosecutor said that the accused committed the offences at Opo village in Okaka. The offences, he addedc contravened sections 443 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, VOL.II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

He noted that the case was reported on November 23, 2018, at the state Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D) in Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The offences attract life imprisonment if the defendants are found guilty by the court.