Osun man, siblings remanded for stealing cocoa beans

By Dorcas Elusogbon

An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court Wednesday remanded three persons for theft of cocoa beans and impersonating police officers in Ifetedo, Ife South local government area of Osun State.

The defendants identified as Taiwo Asipa, 40; Aderibigbe Olaniyi, 60 and Aderibigbe Taye, 52 allegedly stole wet cocoa beans that valued N800,000, property of one Olapade Ajala.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Adesina Elijah, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Aug. 3, 2025 around 11:00 am at Iresi Village Abewela 2, Ifetedo in Ife South.

Elijah said that the defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and impersonation.

According to him, the defendants unlawfully and forcibly entered into a farm that’s in actual and peaceable possession of one Olapade Ajala in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

The Prosecutor stated further that Taiwo Asipa impersonated by paraded himself as a member of a serving Nigeria Police Force, serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, which he’s not.

He explained that the offence contrary to and punishable under section 109 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34,Vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to four-count charge of: conspiracy, stealing, forcibly entrance and impersonation.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Martins Awe, appealed for the bail of the defendants in most Liberal term, pledged that his clients would not jump bail,but would provide reliable sureties.

Magistrate Taofeek Badmus did not grant the bail of the defendants, but ordered for the remand of Olaniyi and Asipa in Ile-Ife Nigerian Correctional Service and Taye (female)at “A” Division, Moore Police station.

Badmus adjourned the case until Aug 18 for mention at Ifetedo Magistrates’ Court.

(NAN)