The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Apapa Magistrates’ Court

  • Businessman faces N2.1m fraud charge

    Lawrence Okpara, a 52-year-old businessman, who was slated to have obtained 45 pieces of secondhand air conditioners worth N2.1 million under false pretences, was on Thursday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Okpara, a resident of Ajegunle area of Apapa, is facing a three-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences, presumption as to false pretences in certain circumstances and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Tony Elibeh told the court that the accused, who entered a ‘not guilty’ plea, committed the offences on Sept. 17, 2016 at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos.

    Elibeh alleged that Okpara obtained 45 pieces of air conditioners from DennisAdiele on the pretext of paying him after selling them.

    The prosecutor said the accused, who had no intention of paying the complainant, sold off the goods and converted the proceeds to personal use.

    “The complainant said when he did not get any feedback from Okpara, he decided to confront him and ask for his money, but to his surprise the accused started giving excuses.

    “The accused issued a cheque of N2.1 million after much pressure but the cheque was dishonored at the bank on presentation due to insufficient funds.

    “Adiele reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested, “Elibeh said.

    The offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 319 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 provides three years imprisonment, while Section 312 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under false pretenses.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until April 26 for mention.

     

  • Bus conductor gets bail for stealing sachet of milk

    A 25-year-old bus conductor, Okechukwu Nwafor, who allegedly stole a sachet of powdered milk, was on Friday admitted to bail in the sum of N20,000 by an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, who gave the ruling, granted the accused one surety as part of the bail conditions.

    Etti said that the surety must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The accused, whose address is unknown, however, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 18, at Satellite Town, Lagos.

    Kokoye said that the accused stole a sachet of powdered milk, valued at N700 and N200 cash from a trader, Esther Agbenyo.

    The prosecutor said that when the accused noticed that Agbenyo had a lot of customers in front of her, he quickly took a sachet of powdered milk and N200 cash that were on the table.

    Kokoye said Nwafor was about to bolt away, when one of Agbenyo’s customers, who saw the accused stealing the milk, raised an alarm.

    The prosecutor said that the accused was apprehended by the trader’s customers, who were at the scene of the incident.

    Kokoye said that Agbenyo reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

    He said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing.

    The case was adjourned until April 12 for trial.

     

  • Man in court over stabbing of victim with broken bottle

    Man in court over stabbing of victim with broken bottle

    A 27-year-old man, Archibong Aniekan, who allegedly stabbed Ikechukwu Ajuke with broken bottle, was on Friday admitted to N200, 000 bail by an Apapa Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, who resides at Ajegunle area of Apapa, Lagos, is facing a charge of assault.

    The Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, in his ruling, said that the accused should produce two sureties as part of the bail conditions.

    Etti said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused, who entered a not guilty plea, committed the offence on March 5 at Suru-Alaba Market in Ajegunle area of Apapa, Lagos.

    Kokoye alleged that the accused assaulted Ajuke by stabbing him with broken bottle on his left arm and also beat him.

    He said that the assault followed an argument which ensued between the accused and the complainant.

    Kokoye said that after Aniekan had stabbed the complainant, he tried to escape, but was apprehended by some pedestrians at the scene and handed over to the police.

    He said that the offences contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 171 prescribes three years jail term for assault occasioning harm, if found guilty.

    The case was adjourned until April 12 for mention.

     

  • Businesswoman bolts with N20m

    A 45-year-old businesswoman, Precious Ofili, who allegedly defrauded a market association of N20 million, was on Thursday charged before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Ofili, who resides in Apapa, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

    Police Prosecutor Tony Elibeh told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 6 at Article Market opposite Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

    Elibeh alleged that the accused, who was the treasurer of the association, conspired with others now at large and obtained N20 million from members  on the pretext of lodging the money in the bank.

    He claimed that Ofili, who had no intention of keeping the money in the bank, invested it in her business.

    The prosecutor said when the association later demanded for its money, the accused gave flimsy excuses.

    When the association members got tired of Ofili’s excuses, they reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested, he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 312 stipulates a 15-year jail term for obtaining by false pretences.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

    Abolarinwa also directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case until April 26 for mention.

     

  • Teenager docked for stabbing friend

    The Police on Tuesday arraigned 18-year-old Jimoh Idowu, in an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stabbing a friend, Toheeb Jimoh, with a stick in the eyeball.

    Though Idowu pleaded not guilty, the Magistrate, Mr M.A.Etti, ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody.
    Etti ordered that Idowu should be remanded in prison due to the critical condition of the complainant.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the defendant, who resides at Ajegunle area of Lagos, committed the offence on March 14 around 4.30 p.m. at Railway Line, Ijora Badia, Lagos.

    He said the accused assaulted Idowu with a sharp stick.

    Kokoye alleged that the two were coming back from school when an argument ensued between them.

    The prosecutor said the complainant was rushed to the hospital by pedestrians, who were at the scene of the incident.

    Kokoye said that Idowu tried to escape after the incident, but was apprehended by witnesses and taken to the police station.

    He said the offence contravened Section 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 244 prescribes three-year jail term for wounding and similar acts.

    Etti adjourned further hearing in the case till April 11 for mention.

     

  • Unemployed docked over alleged theft of goods valued at N153,000

    An unemployed man, David Omosheyi, who allegedly broke into the shop of one Destiny Chijioke and stole goods valued at N153,000, on Thursday in Lagos, was granted N100,000 bail.

    Omosheyi, 20, who is facing a three -count charge of conspiracy, stealing and burglary, pleaded not guilty to the charges levied against him before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court.

    The Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, who gave the ruling, also ordered the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail condition.

    Etti said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and also presented evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    In addition, he said that the sureties should also present recent public electricity bills of their houses.

    The magistrate adjourned further hearing of the case till Dec. 2.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Kokoye Olusegun, told the court that the accused, who resides at Olodi Apapa Area of Lagos, committed the offences on Oct. 26 at No.1 Akinsanya St., Olodi Apapa , Lagos.

    Olusegun said that the accused conspired with others, now at large and stole seven bags of rice and a television set, all valued at N153, 000 from Chijioke’s shop at about 6.00 a.m.

    He said that the accused used a metal object to force the door open and gained access into the complainant’s shop.

    Olusegun said that the accused was caught by security guards, who saw them breaking into the shop.

    The prosecutor said that Omosheyi was apprehended, while the others escaped with the goods.

    He said that the offences contravened the provision of sections 285, 307 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The section 285 of the state law prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 409 prescribes two years imprisonment for conspiracy.