Two teenagers, Sodiq Mukaila (18), and Opeyemi Obaniwa (18), have been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing waste items worth one million, five hundred thousand naira.
The stolen items was stated to be the property of Osun State Waste Management Agency (OSWMA).
The accused persons, who were stated to be students of a secondary school in the state were alleged to have visited the central dump site of OSWMA located at Onibueja area in Osogbo on 19th October, 2015 and committed the alleged crime.
The charge sheet read: “that you (accused persons) were arrested on 19th of October, 2015 at Central Dump site of Osun State Waste Management Agency, Onibueja area, Osogbo for allegedly stealing valuable items.”
“That you (accused persons) still at large on the same day and time and in the same area did steal the following items: main switch board electric control box, electric motor attached to the palletize, electric motor attached to the cutter; all valued at N1.5m only, properties of OSWMA, Osun state government.”
The police prosecutor, Mr. Fagboyinbo Abiodun informed the court that the alleged offenses were contrary to and punishable under sections 516 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.
However, the two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing leveled against them by the police.
Their counsel, Mrs. Raji Abiodun, urged the court to grant her clients bail in a liberal term maintaining that the constitution presumes them innocents of the alleged offense until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The Magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties each in the like sum and adjourned the case till 20th November, 2015.