A 42-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Joel Folorunso, on Friday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N750, 000 belonging to his employer.

The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a three-count charge of malicious damage, conversion of fund and breach of peace.

The prosecutor, Insp Olubu Apata, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in October 2024 at about 9:00a.m at Oke- Bola Area in Ado-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendant maliciously damaged one hunter motorcycle valued at N50,000 belonging to the complainant, Adewumi Ajijola.

The prosecutor said the complainant gave the motorcycle to the defendant for daily pay but failed to remit the money until he was arrested by the police.

Apata alleged that between October 2024 and March 30, 2025, the defendant unlawfully converted the sum of N750,000 belonging to the complainant to his personal use.

He said that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 354, 295(a) (b) and punishable under Section 302 and 181(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr Opeyemi Esan, urged the court to grant him bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

Ajibade said the surety must be a member of the landlord Association in Ado-Ekiti.

She adjourned the case until till May 2, for hearing.