FARMER FACES COURT OVER N200,000 PALM TREE DAMAGE

60-year-old denies destroying neighbour’s young palm trees in Ondo State.

A 60-year-old farmer, Tolani Aribo, appeared Friday before the Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo over allegedly destroying a young palm tree worth N200,000.

Aribo faces a two-count charge of conspiracy and malicious damage, but pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi said the incident occurred on Jan. 12 at Igbodigo, Ayeka bypass, following a dispute with Wemimo Akindele, the complainant.

Chief Magistrate Olarenwaju Adelagan granted Aribo N100,000 bail with one surety, who must be resident locally and show two years of tax payment. The case resumes March 26.