The Nation Newspaper

Tag: stealing

  • Man gets N.1m bail for alleged stealing, assault 

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 to John Onwuegbula for alleged stealing and assault.

    Onwuegbula, 45, allegedly stole two landed properties’ documents valued at N400, 000.00, property of Chidi Victor Ezeji.

    He also allegedly entered into the land and property of Ezeji and demarcated it, in an attempt to sell it.

    The suspect also reportedly assaulted one of his victims, which caused him harm, just as he threatened his life to intimidate and cow him to drop any form of legal action against him.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge preferred against him, which borders on stealing and assault.

    Magistrate Sokari Andrew-Jaja adjourned the matter till November 21 for hearing.

  • Court convicts yam thief

    An Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced a 26-year-old man, Okon Happiness, to 14 hours of community service for stealing three tubers of yam valued at N2,100.

    The incident occurred at the shop of Mrs. Kehinde Lawanson at Ikotun market.

    Okon was arraigned before Magistrate T.O. Shomade on a one-count charge of stealing. He pleaded guilty.

    He said he stole the items because he was hungry.

    Prosecuting counsel Kenneth Asibor, a Superintendent of Police (SUPOL), said Okon went to the shop and stole the yam tubers.

    Read also: Man in court over alleged stabbing of neigbour

    He said the defendant was escaping when the owner saw him and shouted; he was caught and handed over to the police at Ikotun Division.

    Asibor said the defendant admitted stealing the yam because he had no money.

    The prosecutor said the complainant refused all entreaties to settle the matter, insisting that it be charged to court.

    The defendant pleaded for leniency, promising not to repeat the act.

    Magistrate Shomade convicted him and directed that he would serve his sentence on the court premises.

  • Man accused of stealing

    A 42-year-old man, Taju Oloko, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly stealing aluminium windows and keys worth N387,000.

    He is being tried for stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecutor Mary Ajiteru alleged that the accused committed the offence on September 11 at 4pm at 20, Ogbaidi Street, Itamaga in Ikorodu.

    She alleged that the accused stole 15 aluminum windows valued at N267,000 and 12 keys worth N120,000, property of the complainant, Mr. Festus Ogbaje.

    The offence contravenes Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

    Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. W. B. Balogun, admitted him to a bail of N100,000 and two sureties.

    He adjourned the case till November 8 for mention.

  • Driver gets one-month jail for stealing policeman’s wallet

    A commercial bus driver, Obinna Obasi, was sentenced to one month imprisonment for stealing a police officer’s wallet containing some items, including N33,000 and $20.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Ope Agbe, who sentenced Obasi, said he was guilty as charged, following his plea of guilty.

    Agbe sentenced him to one month imprisonment without an option of fine.

    The prosecutor, Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji, had told the court that Obasi committed the offence on August 28 at Chevron Roundabout, Ajah, Lagos.

    Osuji said that Obasi drove his commercial bus, marked LSD 61 XT, dangerously and damaged an SUV marked FKJ 916 AP, which belongs to Ms Nneka James, a Superintendent of Police.

    Osuji told the court that Obasi had pleaded with the complainant to follow him to his panel beater to fix the SUV for him.

    He said that the complainant agreed and carried the accused at the back seat of her car to the panel beater’s shop.

    “On getting to the panel beater’s shop, the accused told the complainant that he needed to visit a bank to collect money in order to pay the panel beater.

    “The accused ran away and abandoned the complainant at the panel beater’s shop.

    “The complainant later found out that the wallet she kept at the back seat and its contents were missing.

    “The wallet contained a driver licence, Voter Card, Retired SPO ID card, three ATM cards, N33, 000 and 20 dollars,” Osuji said.

    He said that the offence contravened Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Police arraign teenager for alleged burglary, stealing

    Nineteen-year-old Adenugba Olamilekan was arraigned yesterday at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for alleged burglary and stealing.

    The accused, whose address was given as 34 Sabo Area, Ado-Ekiti, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 18 behind Nova School, GRA, Ado-Ekiti.

    He said the defendant broke into the apartment of Mr Akhindenor Francis and Mr Babatunde Gbemileke, both of the same area.

    Leranmo also accused the accused of stealing five litres of groundnut oil valued at N2,600; five litres of palm oil, valued at N2,500; rice, valued at N7,350 and N3,000 cash belonging to Francis.

    The prosecutor alleged that the accused also stole clothes valued at N25,000; foodstuffs, valued at N6,000 and N14,000 cash belonging to Gbemileke.

    According to him, the offences contravene Section 411 (1) (2) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The prosecutor urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

    Adenugba pleaded not guilty, and his counsel, Mr Olatunde Olayemi, urged the court to grant his client bail with a promise that the accused would not jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted bail to the accused for N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Ajibade adjourned the matter till August 28 for hearing.

     

  • Court jails pastor 54 months for stealing WEMA Bank’s N984,450

    An Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced a pastor, Abel Adewale Olukayode, to 54 months imprisonment for stealing N984,450 from Wema Bank Plc.

    Chief Magistrate A. T. Omoyele convicted Olukayode, 58, on a three-count charge of stealing.

    The magistrate found that he transferred the cash in tranches of N22,550, N701,900 and N260,000 through the Bank’s mobile application to his First Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) accounts.

    She sentenced him to six months imprisonment on count one and two years each on counts two and three, without an option of fine.

    All sentences will run concurrently, meaning Olukayode, who claimed to be a clergyman with the Apostolic Church, will spend only years in jail.

    At the trial, prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji said the convict, of 26, Sadiku Ayinla Street, Odo-Kekere in Ikorodu, committed the offence between March 5 and March 6, 2012, with his mobile phone.

    He said: “The defendant, with the aid of his mobile phone with sim number 08034456771, stole N22,550 through his Wema account, property of WEMA Bank Plc.

    “At the same time and place with the aid of his mobile banking application, he transferred N701,900 from WEMA Bank to his GTB Bank account and N260,000 to his First Bank account”.

    Olukayode pleaded not guilty.

    A witness from WEMA Bank testified that between March 4 and 6, 2012, the bank’s system malfunctioned and the convict, who had only N300 in a joint account he operated with his wife, took advantage of the situation to steal.

    He said immediately Olukayode noticed the malfunction, he started buying airtime which accumulated to N22,550 and thereafter transferred the other amounts to his GTB and First Bank accounts.

    The court heard that Olukayode wasn’t the only one that took advantage of the situation. But he was said to be among those who when he was approached, refused to return the money when they were approached.

    When others, who took advantage of the situation were approached, they admitted their offence and started repaying the money, the witness said.

    But Olukayode told the bank that he had been asking God to provide for him to enable him build his own church and the money was the answer to his prayers.

  • Pastor jailed 54 months for theft

    An Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos Thursday, sentenced a self-proclaimed pastor, Abel Adewale Olukayode, to four years and six months imprisonment for stealing N984,450 from Wema Bank Plc.

    Chief Magistrate A. T. Omoyele convicted Olukayode, 58, on a three-count charge of stealing.

    Read Also:Police arraign “fake pastor” for allegedly raping a woman

    The magistrate found that he transferred the sum in tranches of N22,550, N701,900 and N260,000 through WEMA Bank’s mobile application to his First Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) accounts.

    She sentenced him to six months imprisonment on count one and two years each on counts two and three without an option of fine.

    All sentences will run concurrently, meaning Olukayode, who claimed to be a clergyman with the Apostolic Church, will spend only two years in jail.

    In the course of the trial, prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji said the convict, of 26, Sadiku Ayinla Street, Odo-Kekere in Ikorodu, committed the offence between March 5 at about 4pm and March 6, at about 7am, in 2012, with the aid of his mobile phone.

    He said: “The defendant, with the aid of his mobile phone with sim number 08034456771, stole N22, 550 through his Wema Bank account, property of WEMA Bank Plc.

    “At the same time and place with the aid of his mobile banking application, he transferred N701,900 from WEMA Bank to his GTB Bank account and N260,000 to his First Bank account, property of WEMA Bank Plc”.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened sections 278(2) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Olukayode pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

    But a witness from WEMA Bank testified that between March 4-6, 2012, the bank’s system malfunctioned and the convict, who had only N300 in a joint account he operated with his wife, took advantage of the situation to steal.

    He stated that immediately Olukayode noticed the malfunction, he started buying airtime which accumulated to N22, 550 and thereafter transferred the other amounts to his GTB and First Bank accounts.

    The court heard that Olukayode wasn’t the only one that took advantage of the situation, but he was one of a few, who when he was approached, refused to return the money.

    When others, who took advantage of the situation, were approached, they admitted their offence and started repaying the money, the witness said.

    But Kayode told the bank that he had been praying and asking God to provide for him to enable him build his own church and the money was God’s answer to his prayers.

  • Police arraign teenager over alleged burglary, stealing

    Nineteen-year-old ‎Adenugba Olamilekan, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court over alleged burglary and stealing.

    The accused, whose address is No 34 Sabo area, Ado-Ekiti, is facing two -count charge of burglary and stealing.

    Read Also:Akpabio, Police differ over gun attack at senator’s home

    The prosecutor, Insp Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 18, behind Nova School, GRA in Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendant broke into the apartment of one Mr Akhindenor Francis and Mr Babatunde Gbemileke, both lived at the same area.

    Leranmo also alleged that the accused stole five litres of groundnut oil valued at N2,600, five litres of palm oil valued at N2,500, rice valued at N7, 350 and cash sum of N3,000 belonging to Mr Akhindenor Francis.

    The prosecutor alleged that the accused also stole clothes valued at N25, 000, foodstuffs valued at N6,000, and cash sum of N14,000 belonging to Mr Babatunde Gbemileke.

    According to him, the offences contravened Section 411 (1) (2) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The prosecutor urged the Court to adjourn the case to enable him study the file and assemble his witnesses.

    The accused pleaded not guilty, and his counsel, Mr Olatunde Olayemi, urged the Court to grant his client bail and promised that the accused would not jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

    Ajibade adjourned the case until August 28 for hearing.

  • Police nab five for ‘stealing’ 238 air conditioners

    The police in Lagos have arrested five suspects for alleged theft of 238 air conditioners.

    Igwe Nchoeu, 48, Moses Eghaghe, 51, Suleman Aremu, 65, Obinna Abiodun, 40, and Samuel Ogujiofor, 34, were arrested on July 25 at a warehouse in Iyana-Ira where they were said to have taken the items to.

    The Nation learnt that operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), acting on intelligence, went to the warehouse and nabbed the suspects.

    Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said the suspects confessed that they were led by Mr. Francis, a truck owner, to divert the items.

    He said: “During investigation, the operatives went to Sango Otta, Ogun State and recovered the vehicle, an unregistered Mack truck, which was parked for sale.

    “Investigation is on to arrest fleeing suspects. I call on anybody or company with legitimate claim to the goods to come with proof of ownership.”

    One of the suspects, Ogujiofor, a driver, told The Nation that he knew nothing about the crime, claiming he got the job to transport the items through an agent.

    He said: “I came from the East to Ikorodu in Lagos State to offload scraps that I sell. Then, someone came to me and told me to help him carry goods and we negotiated and he agreed to pay me N150,000. I told him I did not know anywhere in Lagos, so he sent his escort to direct me and I followed them.

    “Drivers most times meet agents to secure jobs. That was how I got this one. Eghaghe escorted me and showed me the place. I thought he was the owner. While on the way, the vehicle broke down and he hired a towing van. I did not even see the goods because they were in a container.

    “I do not know anywhere in Lagos. I came from the East. We picked the goods from Tin can and transported them to a place called Iyana Sashi, near Mechanic bus stop.”

    Nchoeu, another suspect, denied being a criminal. He claimed he was a motor boy and a mechanic.

    Aremu said: “I was not even involved in the bargaining. I am confused. The day we were arrested, I had just returned from a restaurant when someone accosted me, telling me I was under arrest. I did not even know what we were carrying because the goods were inside a container.”

  • Two get N500,000 bail for ‘stealing N419,000’

    Two men yesterday appeared before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N419,000. The court granted them N500,000 bail.

    Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya ordered the accused – Ahmefula John, 45, and Emmanuel Mike, 42, to produce two sureties in the like sum.

    The prosecutor, Akpan Ikem, said the accused on July 26 stole the money belonging to Alhaji Kawume at Ovuru Street, Okokomaiko.

    “The two men were caught and handed over to the police while trying to run away after stealing the money,” the prosecutor said.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The case continues on September 5.