Man, 39, on Tuesday February 12, appeared before Chief Magistrate Patricia Igho-Braimoh of Oredo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benin, for allegedly bringing down uncompleted building.
The accused, Joseph Odubu, is a younger brother to the former deputy governor in the state, Dr. Pius Odubu.
The defendant is being tried for conspiracy and malicious damage of property.
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Police Prosecution, ASP Osayomwanbor Omoruyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Sept. 7, 2019 at Aruogba community in Oredo Magisterial District, Benin.
Omoruyi alleged that the accused person had on the said date, conspired with others in a group at large, did maliciously damage uncompleted buildings of Mrs Yahaya Garba-Hassan and Mr Umar Hassan .
He said the accused person brought bulldozer to pull down the uncompleted building, adding that the accused person said the land belongs to his elder brother in Overseas (American).
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He said Mrs Garba-Hassan’s uncompleted building valued N3 Million, while Mr Hassan’s valued N2 Million.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 516, and 451, of the Criminal Code Cap. 48 Vol. 11, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, now applicable in Edo.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defendant Counsel, Mr Frank Edebor urged the court for its discretion to grant accused bail, adding that he is a family with children.
He assured the court that the accused would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Patricia Igho-Braimoh admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum each, adding that he must be residence within jurisdiction.
Igho-Braimoh then adjourned the case until Feb. 19, for hearing.
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It is worth noting that Section 451 of maliciously damage of property prescribes two years, while seven years jail term for conspiracy