The Nation Newspaper

Tag: theft

  • Man docked for escaping from police custody

    A 22-year-old man, Gerald Ogwu, who allegedly escaped from police custody after being arrested for stealing N75,000, was on Tuesday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Ogwu is facing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and unlawful escape.

    The prosecutor, ASP. Nurudeen Thomas, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 16 at No.87, Ilaje Road, Bariga.

    Thomas said that the accused stole N75, 000 and an Itel Phone belonging to his employer- Ozone Water- and also escaped from the police custody during interrogation.

    Read Also: Police  arrest suspected members of fake dollar syndicate in Gombe

    He said that the offence contravened Sections 106(b) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kike Ayeye, admitted the accused to a bail of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    Ayeye adjourned the case until Aug.16 for mention.

  • Three charged with theft of N75m goods

    Three men, who allegedly stole bags of cashew nuts, one empty container and a truck all valued at N75 million, were yesterday, brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court.

    Yusuf Mustapha, 28, Sikiru Moshood, 41 and Abiodun Adebisi, 40, were arraigned by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) Ikoyi, Lagos, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The defendants committed the offence on April 7.

    They allegedly unlawfully entered the parking yard of a firm, Mid-City International, Iponri, Lagos, and stole 320 bags of cashew nuts, valued at N40 million, one empty container, valued at N22 million and a trailer truck marked XS110 MUS, valued at N13 million.

    The total value of the stolen properties was N75m.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Their counsel, Ikechukwu Anima, Adekunle Rufai, and Ngozi Ibe, applied for their bail on “the most liberal terms.”

    But Animashaun opposed their prayer. He urged the court to remand the defendants in prison, because their bail, “may jeopardise police efforts in getting other suspects still at large.”

    Chief Magistrate K. S. Abdulsalam granted each defendant N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on July 30.

  • Man to sweep magistrates’ court for stealing N15,000 make-up

    An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a make-up artist, Tunde Ebikeme, to community service, for stealing beauty products worth N15, 000 from a supermarket.

    Magistrate M. O. Ope-Agbe convicted Ebikeme, 24, following his plea of guilty to a one-count charge of stealing.

    She ordered him to sweep the court’s premises from the fourth floor to the ground floor.

    She explained that the convict got only community service as punishment because he had a good skill which he should try to get better at.

    Ope-Agbe warned Ebikeme to never involve himself in crime again because he could be sent to prison the next time.

    She said: “Prison will not be better for you, I want you to get better with your make-up job, but if you go back to crime, you will be sent to prison.”

    Read Also: Lonely woman abducts two-year-old girl in Lagos

    The magistrate delivered judgment after prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji stated the facts of the case.

    Osuji told the court that Ebikeme committed the offence on June 26, at Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    According to him, the convict entered the supermarket bought and paid for some items, but concealed other items in his pockets and attempted to leave without paying.

    The stolen items are: two nail polish worth N10, 000, two Ushas Eye blow pencil worth N2, 000; two hair beauty born to glow worth N2, 000 and one Honda

    beauty Eye lashes worth N1, 000.

    The total amount of all the items stolen was N15,000.

    “The defendant tried to leave the supermarket with the items he stole before a supermarket attendant accosted him.

    “It was the CCTV inside the supermarket that detected that Ebikeme stole the beauty products.

    “The supermarket attendant complained to the police that it was the second time Ebikeme stole from the supermarket,” Osuji said.

    The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Student in court over theft of phone, laptop

    A 20-year-old student, Bawa Jeremiah was on Monday arraigned in a Daura Road Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna for alleged theft of phone and laptop.

    Jeremiah, a resident of Gbangyi village in Kaduna is being tried for conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Luka Yilgi told the court that Joseph Ikechukwu of Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna reported the matter at Sabon Gari Police Station on May 30.

    Yilgi said that the defendant conspired with one Umar Mohammed now at large and broke into the apartment of the complainant, to steal a laptop and phone all valued at N200, 000.

    He said that the defendant was caught by the complainant’s neighbour who saw him and his accomplice acting in a dubious manner.

    The prosecutor said that the defendant’s accomplice escaped with the phone and laptop while he was apprehended and taken to police station for further questioning.

    Read Also: Court remands man in court for enticing a married woman

    He said the offence contravened Sections 271 and 302 of the Penal Code Laws of Kaduna State.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Sidi, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and must submit two recent passport photographs.

    Sidi adjourned the case until June 18, for hearing.

  • Scavengers arraigned for alleged trespass, theft

    The police yesterday arraigned two men, Mudasiru Adamu, 20 and Mohammed Bell, 18, at a Karu Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for alleged criminal trespass, house-breaking and theft.

    The defendants, who are scavengers, were arraigned on a four-count charge of joint act, trespass, mischief, house-breaking and theft, offences they denied committing.

    Prosecutor Vincent Osuji told the court that Austin Uzenda of Karu village Extension 2, Abuja, reported the matter at Karu Police Station, Abuja, on May 18, around 6pm.

    “The complainant alleged that on May 15, the defendants conspired and damaged his windows, broke into his apartment, stole items and fled.

    “The stolen items include one radio set with speakers, Tecno phone and six pieces of iron rod, whose values are yet to be ascertained.

    “However, on May 18, when the defendants returned to perpetrate other crimes, they were  apprehended.  Efforts to recover the stolen items proved abortive,” he said.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 348, 79, 353, 327 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    The judge, Mariam Saad, granted the defendants bail at N200, 000, each, with one surety each and adjourned the case till June 18 for hearing.

     

     

  • Guard arraigned for alleged burglary, theft

    A 30-year old Emmanuel Ogbuche has been arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing items worth N7 million from a boutique.

    Prosecuting Inspector Peter Nwagwu told the court that the defendant committed the offence April 10 at about 2:30am while working as a security guard at 10 Emma Abimbola Street, Lekki Phase 1.

    Peter explained that the items are five bags containing ready-made dresses, shoes, bags and N25, 000 cash properties of Justina Oshogwenon.

    Ogbuche pleaded not guilty, explaining that “Armed robbers attacked the premises, pointed a gun at me and collected my phone.  Then they asked for the keys to the boutique but I refused. I was beaten and tied while his mouth was covered. It was then I gave them the keys after I couldn’t bear it anymore.”

    He denied stealing anything.

    Chief Magistrate Y.O. Aje-Afunwa granted him N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The addresses of the sureties, she said, must be verified.

    The case was adjourned till July 16.

     

  • Labourer jailed for theft

    A Kuje Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, yesterday sentenced a 24-year-old labourer, Dan-Azumi Amadu, to three months’ imprisonment for stealing a gate.

    The judge, Asmau Akanbi, said the court sentenced the accused since he admitted committing the offence.

    He said the sentence would act as a deterrent to others, adding that theft cases are rampant in the area.

    Prosecutor Orgens Oliver told the court the incident was reported by the complainant, Sardauna Aliyu, of Sundaba, at Kuje Police Station, on May 5.

    He said on the same date the case was filed, the accused came to the complainant’s building site and stole a gate.

    Oliver added that the convict was arrested at Tipper garage while trying to sell the gate.

    He said the offences violated sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.

  • Man jailed three months for theft

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced a 28-year-old man, Bidemi Eweje to three months imprisonment for stealing a handbag and sum of N227,300 property of Fumilayo Ajisafe.

    Eweje was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Y. O Aje-Afunwa on a two-count of conspiracy and stealing.

    Police prosecutor, Inspector Peter Nwangwu told the court that the convict committed the offence on March 22, at 4.50pm along Airport Road, Lagos.

    Nwangwu told the court that the convict stole one brown handbag containing two black purse and N277,300 cash belonging to Ajisafe.

    Eweje pleaded guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Aje-Afunwa sentenced him to three months imprisonment with hard labour.

    She said the sentence would serve as deterrence to others who might want to behave in similar way.

     

  • Two get 18 months each for theft

    A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State yesterday sentenced two men, Paul Abdul, 21 and Yakubu Abdulmuminu, 20, to 18 months’ imprisonment each for stealing and receiving stolen property.

    Justice Ibrahim Shekarau, jailed the convicts based on evidence before the court and their guilty plea.

    He, however, gave the convicts options to pay N28,000 and N10,000 fines.

    Shekarau ordered the convicts to jointly pay N40, 000 to the complainant, as cost of prosecuting the case.

    The convicts, who live in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State, were arraigned on a three-count charge on trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

    They admitted committing the offences and pleaded for mercy.

    Prosecutor Hamen Donald told the court that the convicts committed the offences on February 19 about 9am.

    “Abdul, the first defendant, trespassed into the home of Ekum Etim of the same address and stole his phone valued at N37, 500.

    “He sold the phone to the second defendant, Abdulmuminu,  for N15,000,” he said.

    Donald said the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 287 and 317 of the Penal Code.

     

     

  • Police arraign woman for baby ‘theft’

    The police yesterday arraigned a 27-year-old woman, Bridget Haruna, at a Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a seven-month-old baby girl.

    Haruna, who lives at Jabi Daki Biyu village, Abuja, was arraigned on a one-count charge of stealing a baby.

    She pleaded not guilty.

    Police prosecutor Dalhatu Zannah told the court that on April 4, Vourjack Pam, a resident of Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, reported the matter at Life Camp Police Station.

    He said the complainant reported the matter to the police for investigation, which led to the arrest of the defendant.

    Zannah alleged that on April 3, about 11 am, the complainant’s wife, Mrs. Godiya Pam, took their seven-month baby girl to Gwarinpa General Hospital, Abuja, to visit a patient.

    He alleged that while she was in hospital, the accused took the baby from the mother and absconded.

    The prosecutor said Haruna was seen at Jabi Daki–Biyu village with the baby.

    He said the accused lied that she went to buy something for the baby.

    Zannah said the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.

    After arraignment, the judge, Abubakar Sadiq, granted Haruna bail at N50,000 with a surety.

    He ordered that the surety must have a means of livelihood live within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The judge ordered that the surety must present a utility bill in his name to the registrar and adjourned the matter till May 9 for hearing.