By Gbenga Sodeinde
Three persons were arraigned yesterday at the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court for allegedly cutting down economic tree belonging to Ekiti State Government.
The defendants are Peker, 35, Ogbo Ogbu, 30 and Akpan Godwin, 25.
The Police prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, told the court yesterday that the defendants on March 16, 2021 at about 1.00 p.m at Government Reservation Area, in Ise-Ekiti, did cut 156 stumps of economic trees valued at N750,000 property of Ekiti State Government.
Inspector Apata added that they also cultivate crops on the soil without permission, erect building and damage forestry property.
The prosecutor said the offence committed is punishable under Section 95(1)(f)(I) and (k) of the Ekiti State Forestry Law, 2016.
Counsel to the defendants, Barr. Olarewaju Oluwasola, urged the court to grant them bail in liberal terms.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Ajibade, grant bail of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case to April 27, 2021, for hearing.