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Tag: stealing

  • Supervisor held for ‘stealing’ cement

    Supervisor held for ‘stealing’ cement

    three days after his promotion, a company supervisor, Abiola Hamzat, has been arrested for allegedly stealing 20 bags of cement.

    Hamzat, who works with a brick making company in Agbado, Lagos, was arrested with Kazeem Adebayo, 32, by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives last Thursday.

    Hamzat, a graduate of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), it was learnt, started work as a contract security and rose to an operator.

    The father of three was promoted to supervisor when management found that he is a university graduate. His salary was also raised to N215,000 monthly.

    RRS quoted Hamzat as saying: “I masterminded the crime but I only co-opted Adebayo into the plan. Initially, Adebayo discouraged me that it was not possible to steal cement at the company. After so much pressure, he told me to carry the gateman along in order to be successful which I eventually yielded to.

    “I had an accommodation problem with my family. I was desperately looking for funds to house them. That was what pushed me into it”.

    His salary as supervisor, it was learnt, triples what he earned as an operator.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent (SP), urged companies to be vigilant at all time.

    She said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

  • Court remands two for ‘sodomy, stealing’

    An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin City yesterday ordered the remand in prison custody of two men, Paul Frank, 31 and Christian Ejimofor, 22, for alleged sodomy and stealing.

    The suspects, of unknown addresses, allegedly committed the crime between December 14 and 16 at Embassy Hotel, off Boundary Road, Benin City.

    The prosecution told the court the suspects were allegedly caught in an uncompromising position.

    It said they attempted to sodomise Solomon Shaibu after stealing his Techno Y6 phone, valued at N25, 000.

    The prosecution said the offence contravened sections 214(3), 217 (3) and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II of the defunct Bendel State.

    Chief Magistrate Mrs. M.C. Ojobo ordered that they be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

  • Court remands two men over alleged homosexuality, stealing

    An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Wednesday ordered the remand in prison of two men, Paul Frank, 31, and Christian Ejimofor, 22, over alleged homosexuality and stealing.

    Frank and Ejimofor, whose addresses are unknown, allegedly committed the crime between Dec. 14 and Dec. 16, 2016 at Embassy Hotel, off Boundary Road, in Benin.

    The prosecution told the court that the accused allegedly romanced and had carnal knowledge of each other.

    The prosecution said further that the accused also attempted to have carnal knowledge of one Solomon Shaibu after stealing his Techno Y6 phone, valued at N25, 000.

    It said the offence contravened Sections 214(3), 217 (3) and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II of the defunct Bendel State.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.C. Ojobo, ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

  • Ex-Rep, lawyer charged with stealing

    Ex-Rep, lawyer charged with stealing

    THE police have charged a two-time House of Representatives member, Nze Chidi Duru and a senior lawyer, Smart Iheazor, with stealing and impersonation.
    The police accused the first defendant, Duru and second defendant Iheazor of stealing three office files and one HP Laptop valued at N250,000, property of an Abuja-based firm.
    They were arraigned yesterday before Magistrate A. A. Adefulire of a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
    The defendants, who are both senior lawyers of 28 and 30 years post-call, are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, breach of peace and impersonation.
    Prosecuting counsel Mr. P. O Idenyenmia told the court that the property belonged to First Guarantee Pension Ltd (FGPL) and that the defendants conspired to commit the alleged offences on January 11, at 65 Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
    He alleged that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by willfully and unlawfully invading the firm with intent to forcibly take over its management and assets.
    The defendants, Idenyenmia added, with intent to defraud introduced themselves as vice chairman and secretary respectively of First Guarantee Pension Ltd and acted in an attempt to take over the firm.
    According to him, the offences were punishable under Sections 409, 285, 166 (d) and 378 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    Duru’s counsel Emeka Etiaba, SAN told the court that his client was too ill to stand trial, could not even stand upright without assistance and was even about to collapse inside the courtroom.
    Duru, he added, was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning and was whisked to the court by the police. He made an oral application for the arraignment to be adjourned. But the prosecutor argued that Duru had been certified fit to go home by doctors at the police hospital.
    He said he could not return Duru to police custody, especially since a magistrate had already issued a warrant for the defendant’s arrest since last Friday.
    Magistrate Adefulire upheld the prosecution’s argument and ordered the defendants to enter the dock.
    Etiaba added: “They have been in police custody for four days, which contravenes their constitutional rights. Their rights have been infringed. The first defendant is a member of the bar of 28 years and was a two-time former member of the House of Representatives and a chairman of Guarantee Pension.
    “He is the founder and promoter of Guarantee Pension and it was going to be forcibly taken away. The second defendant is his counsel and a partner at their law firm, White and Kings Chambers, in Abuja. I urge the court to grant them bail in the most liberal terms.”.
    The prosecutor observed that the defendants reside and practice in Abuja and they should thus be made to provide sureties.
    Ruling, Magistrate Adefulire granted the defendants N500,000 bail each with one surety in the like sum. The case was adjourned till March 9 and 10, for hearing

  • Ex-Rep Duru, lawyer charged with stealing

    Ex-Rep Duru, lawyer charged with stealing

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Nze Chidi Duru, and a lawyer, Smart Iheazor were yesterday arraigned before a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ court for alleged stealing and impersonation.
    They were accused of stealing three office files and one HP Laptop valued at N250,000, property of an Abuja-based firm.
    They are being tried on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, breach of peace and impersonation.
    Prosecuting counsel Mr. P. O Idenyenmia told Chief Magistrate A. A. Adefulire that the property belonged to First Guarantee Pension Ltd (FGPL). The defendants, he alleged, conspired to commit the offences on January 11, at 65 Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
    He claimed that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by wilfully and unlawfully invading the firm with intent to forcibly take over its management and assets.
    The defendants, Idenyenmia said, with intent to defraud introduced themselves as vice chairman and secretary of FGPL and attempted to take over the firm.
    According to him, the offences are punishable under Sections 409, 285, 166 (d) and 378 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
    The defendants pleaded not guilty.
    Earlier, Duru’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba SAN told the court that his client was too ill to stand trial. According to him, he could not stand upright without assistance and nearly collapsed inside the courtroom.
    Duru, he added, was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning and was immediately brought to the court by the police.
    He applied orally for adjournment of the arraignment.
    But the prosecutor said Duru had been certified fit to go home by doctors at the police hospital.
    He said he could not return Duru to police custody because a magistrate on Friday issued a warrant for his arrest.
    Chief Magistrate Adefulire upheld the prosecution’s argument and ordered the defendants to enter the dock.
    Etiaba then urged the court ýto grant the defendants bail in self recognisance since the offences were bailable.
    He said: “They have been in police custody for four days, which contravenes their constitutional rights. Their rights have been infringed upon.
    “The first defendant is a member of the bar of 28 years and was a two-time member of the House of Representatives and a chairman of Guarantee Pension.
    “He is the founder and promoter of Guarantee Pension and it was going to be forcibly taken away.
    “The second defendant is his counsel and a partner at their law firm White and Kings Chambers in Abuja. I urge the court to grant them bail in the most liberal terms.”
    In his objection to bail in self recognisance, the prosecutor observed that the defendants live and practice in Abuja. So, they should be made to provide sureties, if the court grants them bail.
    Ruling, chief Magistrate Adefulire granted the defendants N500,000 bail with one surety in the like sum each.
    He adjourned the case till March 9 and 10.

  • Man charged with stealing friend’s N85,000

    A 39-year-old man, Bidemi Opeyemi, who allegedly hypnotised his friend and stole N85,000 from him, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Prosecuting Inspector Eruada Victor told the court that the accused, who pleaded not guilty, committed the offence in July at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

    Victor alleged that the accused hypnotised and took the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card of his friend, Usman Danjuma, and used it to transfer N85, 000 to his own account.

    He said Danjuma was surprised to get an alert of withdrawal from his account, and quickly rushed to the bank to find out what happened.

    “The complainant was shocked to discover that his friend had stolen N85, 000 from his account.

    “Danjuma reported the case to the police and the accused was traced to his house, where he was arrested,” Victor said.

    Magistrate G.O. Anifowoshe granted the accused N100,000 bail with two sureties.

    Anifowoshe adjourned the case till February 21.

  • Woman caught stealing television

    A woman has been arrested by the police in Ejigbo for stealing a television.

    A resident who simply identified himself as Julius said the woman had become notorious in the area for stealing.

    He said last week the woman was caught at Enitan Street, off Victor Oluwale for stealing a drum but was allowed to go because she had a baby with her.

    Another resident, who identified himself as Baba Ayo, said the woman was either seen begging for alms or caught stealing.

    Mrs Joy, another resident, described the woman as wicked and shameless, adding that the child should be taken from her.

    She said the woman could get something to do like every other person instead of stealing.

    “She shouldn’t steal, instead let her talk to someone who will help her. She should not be going around stealing people’s belongings. This act of hers is inhuman and I am sure her arrest will teach her a lesson not to do something of that nature again,” she said.

  • Man gets four years for burglary, stealing

    An Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday sentenced 54-year-old Eze Oba to four years imprisonment for burglary and stealing.

    Chief Magistrate W. Aziegbemhin gave the ruling after Oba pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of burglary and stealing.

    He sentenced the convict to three years and one year in jail for counts one and two with no option of fine.

    Aziegbemhin ruled that the jail term would run concurrently.

    The prosecutor, C.S.O. Nnamdi, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on November 17 at 5, Emma Avenue, Benin City.

    He said Oba broke into the home of Jennifer Bazuaye and stole three Samsung phones valued at N60,000 and N20,000 cash.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 411 (i) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code.

  • Stealing in the name of the Customs Service

    If you get a facebook friend request from someone in the Nigerian Customs Service uniform, whom as soon as you accept, you receive an advert message for the purported sale/auction of cheap cars and rice or recruitment into the service; beware that you may have taken the first step towards being defrauded. Medinat Kanabe reports.

    QUITE unlike the norm, their facebook pages are usually devoid of pictures with which one can identify their true personalities. Instead, they use one, two or three pictures of custom officers in uniform, to make out that they are genuine custom officers (or its representatives) and proceed to deceive and swindle unsuspecting members of the public. Often, they’re selling fairly used cars, or rice (or some other essential commodities) or offering recruitment for money.

    One of their victims, Mr. Kanayo (not real name) narrated to The Nation how he got a facebook friend request from a man, Sanni Kazeem Olanrewaja. He said as soon as he accepted, Olanrewaja sent him a private message that read thus: “NIGERIA CUSTOM AUCTION SERVICE; WE SELL ALL KIND OF CLEAN TOKUNBO CARS AT CHEAPER AND AFFORDABLE PRICE INTERESTED BUYER SHOUD PLEASE CONTACT* OFFICE LINE 08148274550) FOR CLEARANCE, DELIVERING, REQUITMENT FORM AND REGISTRATION AND JOB: SOME OF THE CARS LISTED ARE Golf 2.3 & 4 N250,000. to =N300,000 =Toyota Camry big daddy=N450,000. Toyota Camry Tiny-Light =N350,000. Toyota Avensis=N400,000. Toyota Avalon=N450,000. Toyota Rav4=400,000. Toyota Prado=700,000. Toyota Sienna=650,000: Toyota Corolla=500,000 Toyota Matrix=N450,000. Honda Accord=400,000. Honda CRV=450,000. Honda Pilot=650,000. Nissan Pathfinder=700,000. Nisaan Amanda=N500,000. Nissan Exterra =N550,000.Infinity Jeepfx35=N700,000. & fx45=750,000. Benz Ml350=600,000. Lexus Rx350=650,000. & RX330=N600,000. RANGEROVER SPORT N1.4M. AND MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFERS. All VEHICLES ENGINES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION (THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US).”

    Note that the poor spelling and grammar are characteristic of their messages.

    Said Kanayo: “As soon as I got the message, I responded because I needed a car urgently. I’d just got married and my wife was pregnant. I had also set aside about N1.5million to get a fairly used jeep. The offer thus seemed very appealing, so I decided that rather than buy one car, I could buy two with the same amount.

    “I called the number and discussed with him. I even visited his house in Lagos before giving him the money; but since I sent the money to him, I have not seen him. That was how I lost my money to Sanni Kazeem Olanrewaja.”

    Kanayo said when he visited his house, he “was told by his neighbours that he had been arrested and they couldn’t give me the name of the police station or the person that arrested him.”

    Lamenting his loss, he said: “I realised thereafter that the offer was indeed too good to be true and I may have been greedy too.”

    To confirm Kanayo’s story, this reporter searched and added a contact on facebook suspected to be of the fake custom auction syndicate. This time, it bore a picture of a female in a Nigeria Customs Service uniform with name tag Dr Iferi P.K, even though the facebook name was Patience Ifere. This should be a first warning ordinarily.

    Almost immediately, this reporter got a private message that read as follows: “PURCHASE YOUR BAGS OF RICE IN A LOWER PRICE OF #11:800 FOR DEMAND CONTACT OUR MARKETING DEPARTMENT OFFICER PATIENCE ON (08140417013) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PURCHASE. Royal Umbrella=#9,700 Mama Gold=#10,500. Royal Stallion=#9,700 Otunba=#10,600. Rising Sun=#10,500. Special Rice=#10,500. Mama Africa=#9,300. Royal Crown=#9,500. Ade Brazil=#10,500. Super Eagle=#8,700. Elephant Gold=#9,500. PJS=#8,800. Tomato Rice=#8,500. Caprice=#9,700

    AND WE DELIVER TO ANY STATE IN NIGERIA UPON THE CUSTOMERS RIQUEST…1BAGS IS#1,000 FOR DELIVERY THANK YOU…FOR PURCHASE KINDLY CONTACT OUR MARKETING DEPARTMENT OFFICER PATIENCE ON (08140417013). NOTE: THAT PAYMENT FOR GOODS ARE MADE ON DELIVERY,WHILE DELIVERY CHARGES ARE PAID BEFORE DELIVERY.THANK FORMER YOUR PATRONAGE, FOR SERIOUS MINDED BUYERS ONLY: (ALL GOODS ARE IN THE NIGERIA CUSTOM CUSTODY)”

    When she called the number in the message, it was picked by a man who claimed that Patience, the supposed owner of the line, was not on seat. The reporter claimed that she needed eight bags of rice, as her sister was getting married in October, and some bags for domestic consumption.

    The man, who gave his name as Custom Balogun, asked this reporter her location and where exactly she’d like the bags of rice delivered. He added that there is a cost for delivery, which he said was N1, 000 per bag and must be paid before delivery.

    The reporter agreed and asked for an account detail; but he said the account detail would be sent to her when she is ready to pay-in the money and that the account detail is that of the zonal secretary, whose office is in Ogun State.

    He subsequently sent his personal phone number to her and the account details. The phone numbers were 08108249946, 09038513833; while the account detail read: 3108444125 Mudi Ocholi First Bank.

    By this time, this reporter had got enough feelers and information to convince her that this was still the same scam playing out; the sort that gulped Kanayo’s N1.5 million and his dream of owning a car (albeit momentarily); and those of several unsuspecting others. But what is the Nigerian Customs Service doing to check these scammers, who are using its name to perpetrate fraud; dragging it in the mud in the process?

    In defence of the Nigerian Customs Service

    The Deputy Public Relations Officer, DPRO, NCS, Joseph Attah who spoke with The Nation said the service is aware of these fraudsters and is doing its best to apprehend them and alert members of the public of the risks involved in dealing with them.

    She said: “If you are in this country in the last one year or two and you are a follower of customs activities, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. Several times, we have issued statements and paraded those that our network has been able to grab.

    “Just about three or four weeks ago, we secured the conviction of six people in Lagos. We have been fighting it and we believe that the most effective way is to sensitise the pubic and make sure people don’t patronise them. That is the only way to cut off their network because as long as people patronise them, they will be encouraged to do more.

    “They hide somewhere to impersonate and their intention is to defraud unsuspecting victims. We are aware that they use the social media to defraud people, so we have taken the battle there.”

    Attah revealed that the service has created an official facebook account www.facebook.com/customsng, where the public can access authentic information about the service and verify whatever information making the rounds. He said the Nigerian Custom Service is one of the very few organisations whose information can be so verified and which is also available on twitter.

    “If someone sends you a facebook request and a message about auctions or contracts or recruitments and then engages you in a discussion that includes money and thereafter sends you a personal account number, it is fraud. And we keep telling the public about this. We go on radio, television and use the newspapers, but people still fall victim. Don’t go and send money to someone whom you don’t know, whom you have not seen before.

    “We are also calling on the media to join in the sensitisation. How can someone tell you he has a brand new jeep for N60, 000 and you believe him and go ahead and make payment? Usually, it is after paying that many of the victims realise that they have been defrauded.

    “Somebody came to report that someone called to tell him the customs service was recruiting for a fee and he went ahead and made payment. The question is, why didn’t he come to us before paying?

    On the pictures of custom officers, Mr Attah said a person who wants to defraud you will use anything available to convince you. They just go on the internet to get the picture of a customs officer and give it a name.”

    As a parting shot, Attah said: “We are telling people not to patronise seemingly juicy offers on the social media. Insist on meeting them in person or visiting the office. Once the person refuses, your suspicion antenna should immediately be on the alert.’’

  • Five held for ‘stealing’

    Five held for ‘stealing’

    The police have arrested four employees of Mr Biggs Ltd and three others, including an Island Maternity Hospital worker, Lagos, for allegedly stealing and receiving chicken, vegetable oil, rice and eggs belonging to the fast food outfit.

    The police said the stolen items were valued at about N500, 000 and that the suspects committed the offence between last June and July at eatery’s branch on Lagos Island.

    The suspects are Saheed Owolabi, 30, Ajayi Olanrewaju, 29, Chukwuemeka Daniel, 22, Isaiah Stephen, 19, Rotimi Oyedunmade, 33, Idris Ibrahim, 30,  and a woman identified as Abiodun Ernest, 40.

    It was alleged that the quartet of Owolabi, Daniel, Stephen, Oyedunmade and Olanrewaju, all employees of eatery, stole the items and sold same to Ernest and Ibrahim.

    They were arraigned yesterday by the Lion Building Police Division, Lagos before Mr Patrick Adekomaiya of the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    They are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and receiving of stolen goods.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence on 26, Broad Street, Lagos ýIsland.

    He said they ‘’conspired amongst themselves to steal, 10 bags of chicken, four gallons of vegetable oil, 30 crates of eggs, five bags of rice and 10 tubers of yam all valued at N500,000, property of Mr Biggs Ltd.”

    He alleged that Ernest, a caterer, and Ibrahim, a Lagos Island Maternity Hospital worker, received four gallons of vegetable oil and 10 creates of eggs, all valued at N48,000 from Owolabi, knowing that the items were stolen.

    “Chukuemeka and Stephen did fail as security men in-charge of Mr Biggs Ltd, to use all reasonable means at your disposal to prevent one Saheed Owolabi and Ajayi Olanrewaju from stealing from the company property,” Emby added.

    The defendants denied the charge.

    Chief Magistrate Adekomaiya granted each defendant N400, 000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum and adjourned till September 19, for mention.