The police, on Thursday, charged a 59-year-old farmer, Okeyemi Poroye, before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo for allegedly damaging palm trees worth N10 million.

The defendant, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on felony and malicious damage.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant and another person still at large allegedly conspired to commit a felony on May 25 at about 10:00 a.m.

Orogbemi alleged that the defendant and the accomplice, following an undisclosed dispute with Chief Asikooluwa Omoduyilemi, unlawfully entered land in the complainant’s possession and cut down his young palm trees.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences were committed at Okiti Owo Village, along the Okitipupa-Irele Road, within the Okitipupa Magisterial District.

Oregbemi said the alleged offences are punishable under Sections 516 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemi Olumekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of two million naira with one surety in like sum.

She added that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Olumekun also ordered the surety to provide evidence of payment of taxes to the Ondo State Government for the past two years before the bail conditions could be perfected.

She adjourned the case until July 31, for hearing.

(NAN)