Six traders docked for stealing N1.5m rice

The police have dragged six female traders before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ile-Ife for allegedly stealing 395 bags of rice valued at N1, 569, 000.
The six traders arraigned before Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode included 55-year-old Atinuke Oladimeji; Bilikisu Eluremi, 32; Silifat Olajide, 43; Omolola Hammed, 35; Moridiyat Akande, 32 and Folasade Anifowose, 40.
According to the police prosecutor, Sergeant Sunday Osanyintuyi, the accused persons committed the offence on August 9, at about 12:45pm at Ojatuntun in Ile-Ife.
Osanyintuyi said that the women conspired to steal and obtain the goods under false pretence.
The prosecutor added that the stolen goods belonged to a rice dealer, Rasaki Akande.
According to him, the offence was contrary to Section 383 (a) and punishable under Sections 390 (8), (a), (9), 419, and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Their counsel, Mr. Ola Ibrahim, applied for the bail of the accused persons in most liberal terms and pledged that they would not abuse the bail if granted.
Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode granted the five accused women bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties each in like amount.