By Dorcas Elusogbon
Ile-Ife (Osun), Jan. 5, 2026 (NAN) – An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court has taken a decisive step in a major property crime case, ordering the remand of two men accused of a large-scale iron theft valued at a staggering N18 million. The case highlights not just a significant alleged theft, but also the legal processes and economic implications of such crimes in Nigeria.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Abosede Sarumi, heard charges against Akinola Amodun, 28, and Nwoko Samuel, 30. The prosecutor, Inspector Irewole Jimoh, presented a detailed account of the alleged crime, which occurred in the early hours of September 28, 2025, at the Eleyi Area along the Ife/Ibadan Expressway in Ipetumodu.
Anatomy of the Alleged Crime: Beyond a simple theft, the prosecution framed the incident as a calculated operation. The defendants are accused of conspiring to commit a felony, which included forced entry, malicious damage, and stealing. Specifically, they allegedly forcibly entered a prayer camp—a detail that adds a layer of trespass on a potentially sensitive property.
The scale of the theft is substantial. Inspector Jimoh detailed that the suspects first vandalized and stole 24 H-beam irons and 22 angle irons, valued at N8 million. These materials are crucial structural components in construction, used for framing buildings, bridges, and industrial projects. Their high value reflects both their weight and the current market price of steel.
Furthermore, they are accused of stealing an additional batch of identical materials—24 H-beam irons and 22 angle irons—plus 24 iron plates and two Storex water tanks, with this second cache valued at N10 million. The total alleged haul of N18 million represents a major financial blow to the victim, identified as Prophet Adeyemo Olutope. The prosecutor also stated that one defendant, Nwoko Samuel, is charged with fraudulently receiving the stolen property, suggesting a potential chain of possession for the resale of the materials.
The Legal Framework and Court Proceedings: The charges are serious, citing multiple sections of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002:
- Sections 383 & 390(9): Deal with the offense of stealing, with subsection 9 pertaining to the punishment for theft of property above a certain value.
- Section 427: Addresses the offense of malicious damage to property.
- Section 451: Relates to house-breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony.
- Sections 81 & 516: Cover conspiracy to commit a felony, indicating the alleged premeditated nature of the act.
Despite a bail application from the defendants’ counsel, who pledged his clients would not abscond, Magistrate Sarumi refused bail at this stage. This is a common judicial practice in cases involving substantial amounts, a risk of flight, or the potential for interference with an ongoing investigation. The court instead ordered the remand of Amodun and Samuel at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Ile-Ife, pending further consideration of the bail application.
Broader Context and Implications: This case is a microcosm of a wider issue affecting Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Theft of construction materials—especially high-value items like steel beams, rods, and cables—is a persistent problem that inflates project costs, causes delays, and undermines economic development. The targeting of a prayer camp also raises concerns about the security of religious and communal properties.
The court has adjourned the case until January 12, 2026, and ordered it to be mentioned at the Ipetumodu Magisterial District, moving proceedings closer to the scene of the alleged crime. The outcome will be closely watched as a barometer for the judiciary’s handling of high-value property crimes in the region.
Edited by Benson Ezugwu / Kamal Tayo Oropo
Source: NAN News
