A 22-year-old gas vendor, Azeez Adeyemi, has been docked at an Osogbo Magistrate’s court for allegedly stealing cooking cylinders.
The three cylinders stolen by Adeyemi, according to the police prosecutor, Sergeant Ajayi Sunday, were valued N38,000.
Adeyemi was said to have committed the offence with others still at large at Akinola Wine store in osogbo.
The second count charge against Adeyemi reads, “That you (accused) and others still at large, on the same day, time and aforementioned place, did steal two 12.kg cylinder and one 25kg cylinder, all total valued N38,000, property of one Anthony Ugwu.”
The prosecution informed the court that the accused contravened Sections 516 and 390 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.
The gas seller pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
His counsel, Najite Okobe, prayed the court to grant Adeyemi bail, pleading that the bail conditions should not be stringent.
The Presiding Magistrate, Olubukola Olowolagba, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like amount.
Olowolagba ruled that the sureties shall provide tax clearance certificate and swear to affidavit of means.
The case was adjourned to September 12, 2016 for hearing.
Speaking with our correspondent after the court rose, Adeyemi said he committed the offence under the influence of alcohol.
According to him, he had taken alcoholic drinks at Pavilion, a bar opposite the place where he allegedly stole the cylinders.
“I have never done this in my life. This is the first time and I did that because I was drunk. I had visited Pavilion to drink beer and calm my nerves, after having a fight with a debtor, not knowing that it would lead me to stealing.
“I saw the cylinders and I thought it was no longer useful for the owner. I had taken two out of the three cylinders that I found under the staircase before a prison warder sighted me and raised the alarm. I was thoroughly beaten afterwards.
“Although the owner had forgiven me, the prison warder is still head bent on prosecuting me. I have even stopped taking beer after the incident,” the accused said.
