Police have arraigned two men, Abiola Mutiu and Amuta Raphael before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly receiving stolen tomato pastes worth N64 million.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mutiu, 44, and Raphael, 55, are being charged with conspiracy and receipt of stolen goods, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendants committed the offense at about 6.00p.m on Nov. 30, 2024, at Airport Road, Alakia area of Ibadan.
Opaleye said Mutiu and Raphael knowing the goods were stolen from Africa Continental GB Foods, received 8,000 cartoons of Gino Tomato paste valued at N64 million, from Ganiyu Saheed, Ganiyu Muyideen, and Isiaka Kelani.
He noted that the offence contravened Sections 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Section 427 of the law prescribes 14 years imprisonment as punishment for anyone found guilty.
Counsel to the defendants, Funmiso Idowu and N. Ndike, prayed the court to grant their clients bail in the most liberal terms.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N2 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Ogunkanmi ordered that one of the sureties must own a landed property, while the other should be a blood relation to the defendants.
She then adjourned the matter until June 4, for a hearing.
