Ex-Convict Remanded In Prison For Stealing Cocoa Seed In Osun

By Grace Isaac

A 39-year-old man, Stephen Odokuma has been remanded in Ilesha prison custody for stealing food items and half bag of dried  cocoa.

Odokuma who had earlier been convicted for stealing live turkey was on Thursday arraigned alongside one other suspect, Emmanuel Collins (35) on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, felony and stealing.

The prosecutor Inspector, Lamidi Rasaq told the court that the two accused conspired and committed the offence on October 22, 2017 at Esa Ola compound Oba-Ile, Olorunda Local Government area of the state.

Rasaq said that Odokuma and Collins broke into the shop of one Ibrahim Sukurat  and Jimoh Muideen and carted away some food items.

Some of  food items allegedly stole by the suspects are;  sachets of spaghetti, sachets of curry powder, 5 bar soap, one sachet of good mama, detergent,  2 perfumes, 2 sachet of Chickens flavor, Maggi cube and 6 tin of milk.

Other stolen items according to Rasaq are; 4 four toothpaste, 3 toothbrush, room fresher, modules of Rice, beans, 6 pies of Tiger head batteries, starch, hypo bleach and some quantities of sugar all valued  26,000 and half bag of dried cocoa valued at 80,000 among others.

The alleged offence according to the Prosecutor was contrary to and punishable under Section 516, 413, 383, 390 (9),  of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume 11. Laws of Osun State 2002.

Collins who was legally represented by Mrs Dada Adeyinka pleaded not guilty while Odukuma who was not legally represented pleaded guilty to count one, two, four, five and pleaded not guilty to count three.

Mrs Adeyinka applied for the bail of the second accused in the most liberal terms.

She said the accused person would not jump the bail if granted, assuring that reliable sureties would stand for him.

Ruling on the matter, the magistrate Fatimoh Sodamade ordered the first accused to be remanded in custody at Ilesa prison while the second accused, Collins was admitted to bail in the sum of 100,000 with one surety.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case till December 4, 2017 for hearing.