Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise..
The Ekiti State Police Command has arraigned a 53-year-old woman, Olubisi Elizabeth Gbadamosi, before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti over allegations of breaking into a neighbour’s residence and stealing properties valued at N1 million, as well as obtaining N30,000 under false pretences. The defendant, who resides in Ado-Ekiti, was brought before Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary, stealing, and obtaining money by false pretences. The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court that the defendant, along with others still at large, conspired to commit felony between the early hours of 1:05 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. on February 26 and 27, 2026. According to the charge, the accused broke and entered the residence of Florence Omolayo Babalola at S-24, Irede Estate, Usi-Ekiti, and stole properties valued at approximately N1 million, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of her belongings.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N30,000 from the same complainant, Florence Omolayo Babalola, under false pretenses. The prosecution argued that the offences committed are punishable under Sections 421, 323, 295, and 343 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, as well as under Section 1(3) and 11 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006. The charges, which were read to the defendant in open court, carry significant penalties upon conviction, including imprisonment. The prosecutor did not provide further details on the nature of the false pretense that led to the N30,000 fraud, nor did he disclose the specific items stolen from the residence, but the court accepted the charges as filed by the police.
The defendant, through her counsel, Barrister E. O. Olowolafe, pleaded not guilty to all counts and made an oral application for bail. Olowolafe urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, arguing that she is a responsible citizen with a fixed place of abode and would not jump bail. He also noted that the defendant had cooperated with the police throughout the investigation and that there was no risk of her absconding or interfering with the prosecution's witnesses. The prosecutor, ASP Oriyomi, did not oppose the bail application but requested that the court impose conditions that would ensure the defendant’s availability for trial.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum. The magistrate ruled that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of means, such as proof of tax payment or employment. The court did not order the defendant to be remanded in custody pending the perfection of bail, but she remains in police custody until the bail conditions are met. The case was adjourned to May 25, 2026, for hearing, giving the prosecution time to prepare its witnesses and evidence.
The arrest and arraignment of Gbadamosi highlight the persistent challenge of burglary and fraud in residential estates across Ekiti State. Irede Estate in Usi-Ekiti, where the alleged crime occurred, is a relatively quiet residential neighbourhood. The fact that the accused is a 53-year-old woman, and that the alleged accomplices remain at large, has raised questions about the involvement of older individuals in property crimes. The stolen properties valued at N1 million include household goods, electronics, and personal effects, according to police sources who spoke off the record. The complainant, Florence Omolayo Babalola, was not present in court but is expected to testify during the trial.
This case also underscores the economic pressures that may drive individuals to crime in the current economic climate. With rising inflation and unemployment, property crimes have seen an uptick in many Nigerian cities. The Ekiti State Police Command has been under pressure to curb such incidents, and the swift arraignment of Gbadamosi is seen as part of a broader effort to reassure residents that law enforcement is responsive. However, critics have pointed out that the N200,000 bail amount may be difficult for some defendants to raise, potentially leading to prolonged pre-trial detention.
The defendant’s counsel, Barrister Olowolafe, expressed confidence that his client would be exonerated at trial. He argued that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence and that the defendant had been misidentified. “My client is a hardworking trader who has never been in trouble with the law. We will vigorously defend these charges,” he told journalists outside the courtroom. The prosecutor declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The case has drawn local media attention, with residents of Irede Estate expressing mixed reactions. Some called for stiffer penalties for burglars, while others questioned how a woman in her fifties could have broken into a home without assistance. The fact that the alleged accomplices are still at large has fueled speculation that Gbadamosi may be a scapegoat. The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to arrest the other suspects.
The adjournment to May 25 gives both sides time to prepare. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses, including the complainant and possibly forensic experts if fingerprints or other evidence were collected from the scene. The defence will likely challenge the admissibility of any confession statements and the identification of the defendant. For now, Gbadamosi remains in custody pending the perfection of her bail, and the next court date will determine how the case proceeds. As the wheels of justice turn slowly, the residents of Usi-Ekiti will be watching closely to see whether this case ends in conviction or acquittal, and whether the other perpetrators are ever brought to book.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments