1Two workers in the employment of Oyo State government have been arrested for allegedly selling about 40 bags of sugar meant for COVID-19 palliatives in Ibadan.

The items were valued at N60,000.

The two workers, Adebiyi Azeez, a driver, and Sunday Akinleye, an Assistant Protocol Officer in charge of Palliative at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters at the State Secretariat in Ibadan have been arraigned in court.

They were arraigned by the Police at an Iwo Road Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

It was gathered that the duo were charged alongside a trader, Kafayat Babalola for allegedly receiving and buying the stolen items.

The third defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.

The defendants are facing three -counts charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving of stolen goods.

The offence was said to have been committed on December 30, 2020, at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

Police prosecutor, Sunday Ogunremi informed the court that Adebiyi and Akinleye allegedly conspired together to commit the offence of stealing.

According to him, Adebiyi, driver and Akinleye, assistant protocol officer in charge of Palliative allegedly stole 40 bags of Dangote Sugar COVID-19 Palliatives at the Ministry valued N60, 000, property of Oyo State Government

He added that the duo of Adebiyi and Akinleye allegedly used the official vehicle of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy title to convey the goods to the buyer.

The third defendant, Kafayat Babalola, a trader at Agbeni Market, Ibadan, was alleged to have received 40 bags of sugar COVID-19 Palliatives knowing that it is not for sale and property of Oyo State Government.

Ogunremi said that the offence contravened section 516, 390 (9) and 427 of the Criminal Code of Oyo State 2000.

After pleading the guilty, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Taiwo Oladiran granted the defendants bail in the sum of N20,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.