A farmer, Onaye Ikutimumi and his two sons, Ojosimi Ikutimumi, 28 and Orimisi, 35 were on Friday docked in an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged, malicious damage of economy trees worth N16.5 million.
The defendants, whose addresses were not given are charged with forceful entry, breach of peace, assault malicious damage and threat to life.
The Police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendants on Oct. 11, 2023, around 11:40 a.m at Akeun farmland in Ode-Aye, Okitipupa magisterial district conspired to commit breach of peace and malicious damage.
Orogbemi said that the defendants conducted themselves in manner likely to cause breach of peace by forcefully entering the farmland belonging to one Allen Abayomi over undisclosed dispute among them.
The prosecution said that the defendants unlawfully assaulted the complainant by beating him up and threatened to kill him with cutlass, if he dare stopped them from damaging some economy trees.
He added that the defendants maliciously damaged 80 timber trees worth N4.5 million, uprooted 100 young palm trees worth N12 million, bringing the total cost to N16.5 million, property of the complainant.
Orogbemi said that the offence is punishable under Sections 517, 81, 86, 355 and 451, Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate Cletus Ojuola admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200, 000 each and two sureties each in like sums.
He added that the sureties who must be residents within the court jurisdiction must show and present evidence of two years tax payment made to the state government.
He, adjourned the case until May 17, for further hearing. (NAN)
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