Ekiti Commissioner Docked Over Alleged Theft of N5m Granite

By Olufunke Olorunfemi

Ekiti,(AN24)- A commissioner in Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Dare Omotoso, on Wednesday arraigned at an Adorable Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing granite worth over N5 million.

Although Omotoso (64) pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him, he was granted bail but the Chief Magistrate in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties with verifiable addresses in like sum, who said one of the two sureties must be a senior civil servant.

According to the charge sheet, Omotoso between August and September 2016 stole granites and stone dust valued at N5,140, 800.00 (Five Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).

The materials are property of Primadet and Co. Ltd, an offence contrary to Section 390(9) Criminal Code C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leramo, told the court that he had assembled five witnesses to testify against the accused person in the course of the trial.

He, however, applied for an adjournment to study the case file and documents relevant to the case.

Defence counsel, O.B. Farounbi, urged the court to grant Omotoso bail in line with Section 15 of Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2013.

The lawyer promised that the accused would always make himself available for trial whenever the matter is called.

He described his client as “a well respected person in the society who is serving as a commissioner in the state.”

Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye subsequently adjourned the case to June 9 for hearing.