May 20, 2025 | Thomas Abidoye
In a bizarre case that has raised eyebrows across Oyo State, a 13-year-old farm attendant, Ibrahim Yalmi, along with nine others, was on Monday, May 18, arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly stealing 628 chickens valued at over N4.3 million.
The second farm attendant, Samuel David, 24, and eight other suspects—Kurewen Amadi (29), Paul Gagiso (35), Afose Assogbari (30), Monica John (28), Cecilia Philip (30), Tusen Jebete (50), Hannah Dele (25), and John Agosu (28)—were also docked in connection with the theft.
They all face charges of conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Inspector Adeshina Folaranmi, informed the court that the theft occurred between June 2024 and May 2025 at V Tees Farm located in the Badeku area of Ibadan. He alleged that the two farm attendants systematically stole the chickens in batches and sold them off at reduced prices to the other eight defendants, who were aware that the birds were stolen.
The prosecution stated that the offence contravenes sections 516, 390(9), and 427 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Oluwabusayo Osho, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that one surety must show evidence of N2 million in a domiciled bank account, while the other must be a blood relation sharing the same surname with the defendant.
The matter was adjourned until June 4, 2025, for hearing.
The case has sparked reactions online, with many questioning how such a large number of chickens could be stolen over time without detection.
