MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 39-year-old man, Joseph Raphael, has been arrested and charged before an Akure Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing a pregnant dog in Ondo State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the defendant, Raphael, whose residential address was not disclosed by the Police, committed the alleged offence in October 2025 at Atabioloko Street, behind Federal Girls College, Akure.
However, he was arrested and arraigned before Magistrate Damilola Sekoni on a three-count charge of stealing filed against him by the Ondo State Police Command under the Criminal Law of the State.
The prosecutor, Mr. Adebayo Sulaiman, informed the court that the defendant and others still at large stole the pregnant dog valued at N500,000, belonging to one Bernard Monday.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 390(9), 495 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
However, the defendant, Raphael pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, A. B. Ogboye, applied for bail, assuring the court that dependable sureties would be provided.
The Presiding Magistrate, Sekoni, granted him bail in the sum of ₦200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must present affidavits of means, provide two passport photographs each of themselves and the defendant, and show proof of gainful employment, which must be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 16th January, 2026, for hearing while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.