Farmer, Technician Docked Over Property Damage

A farmer and a technician, who allegedly destroyed a building under construction valued at N2.5 million, were recently brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The duo –Adebayo Oloribi, a farmer, and Omoniyi Enato, a technician — are facing charges of conspiracy, forcible entry, criminal damage to property, forcible possession and making false statement to a public officer.
Oloribi, 50, resides at No. 9, Abolade St., Ajibogun, Lagos, while Enato, 45, lives at No.17, Peace Estate in Baruwa area of Ipaja, also in Lagos.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the accused committed the offences in 2011 at the Federal Housing Estate area of Ipaja-Ayobo.
Odugbo alleged that the accused trespassed on a land belonging to one Yakubu Jimoh.
“The accused willfully and unlawfully damaged Jimoh’s building under construction which was valued at N2.5 million.
“The accused also unlawfully took possession of Jimoh’s land and also acted in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.’’
According to him, the accused, when called for questioning on Dec. 2, 2013 at the ‘X’ Squad, Police Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, gave wrong information to the police.
The offences, Odugbo noted, contravened Sections 52, 53, 96, 337 (2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Sections 52 and 53 prescribe two years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of forcible entry and forcible possession respectively.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.
The Magistrate, Mr C. Momodu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with a surety each in like sum.
The case was adjourned to March 20 for mention.