Raphael Johnson
A 42-year-old woman, Bukola Solademi, has been arraigned before the Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan for allegedly stealing assorted carbonated drinks and bottled water valued at N7.688 million.
Ms Solademi pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of theft.
Presiding over the matter, O.E. Owoseni granted the defendant bail for N500,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
The court specified that the sureties must be blood relatives, show evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Oyo State government, present valid National Identification Numbers, and provide proof of land ownership within Ibadan.
The case was adjourned to July 4 for hearing.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Ayodele Ayeni, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between March 2024 and April 2025 in the Ibikunle, Ayeye area of Ibadan.
According to Ayeni, Solademi allegedly stole multiple quantities of drinks, including 12 packs of Bigi water worth N14,750, 31 packs of Eva water valued at N309,400, and 176 packs of Mr V water worth N264,400.
Other items reportedly stolen include 405 packs of Predator energy drink worth N1.9 million, 14 packs of Schweppes valued at N57,600, 244 packs of Pet Coke worth N882,300, 20 packs of American Cola valued at N128,000, and 395 packs of Bigi American Cola worth N1.42 million.
Ayeni listed additional items as one carton of La Casera worth N1.85 million, 34 cartons of Pepsi valued at N104,100, 100 cartons of Coca-Cola valued at N520,000, 243 cartons of Fearless energy drink valued at N992,300, 75 cartons of Bigi Fanta worth N240,000, and 14 packs of Sosa drink worth N4,000.
The stolen goods, according to the prosecution, belong to a businesswoman, Ajoke Ayinde.
The offence contravenes Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.