Three persons were on Thursday arraigned at the Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly cutting down economic trees belonging to Ekiti State Government.
The defendants were Peker Abaton, 35, Ogbo Ogbu, 30 and Akpan Godwin, 25.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, told the court that the defendants, on March 16, 2021 at about 1.00 pm 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, granted them bail of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case to April 27, 2021, for hearing.