8 arraigned for cow rustling in Osun

Eight men were on Thursday docked before an Osun State magistrate court sitting in ile-ife  for allegedly stealing four cows.

The defendants: Ayodele Jide, (40); Akinyode Timothy, (30); Akinsanwo Najeem, (41), Akinola Abiodun, (30); Samuel Oladeyin, (41); Sunday Ejembi, (46); Fadayo Akinniyi, (27) and Adereti Temitope, (43) however pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of conspiracy, breach of peace, stealing and maiming slammed on them.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on March 13, 2020, around 10:00pm at Erefe area, Ile-Ife.

Abdullahi said that the defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: stealing.

He added that the defendants unlawfully maimed four cows valued N720,000 property of Adamu Suleiman, when they chased them with intent to harm them.

According to him, the defendants’ attack on the cows eventually made them fell into a deep pit which resulted to their death.

The prosecutor stated further that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner that may likely cause inter-tribal war between the Fulani herdsmen and the entire villagers on ile-ife land.

Abdullahi noted that herdsmen/farmers conflict has been a national issue which the government is trying to curb adding that any attempt to work against national interest should not go unpunished.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 249(d), 390(9), 450 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defence counsel, Mr Muri Agboola applied for the bail of the defendant in most liberal term with the promise that his clients would not jump bail.  

Magistrate Joseph Owolawi committed the defendants to the bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with two sureties.

He then adjourned the matter to May 15, for hearing.