The Nation Newspaper

Tag: theft

  • Banker, trader charged with $40,000 theft

    An Access Bank Plc worker, Beatrice Nwanna, and a trader, Okwudili Onyetube, were yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a man of $40,000.

    Nwanna 33, who is attached to the Ladipo branch of the bank and Onyetube, 41, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe on a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

    Prosecuting counsel Henry Obiazi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), alleged that the defendants committed the offence sometime in February 2015, at Okota.

    He said Nwanna conspired with Onyetube and one Daniel, who is at large, to defraud the complainant, Obinna Ezenwaka, under the pretence that ýthey were going to give him the naira equivalent of his dollars.

    The complainant said the first defendant approached him that she could help him get the dollar equivalent of N20.6million, which is $100,000, but she failed to do so.

    “He said after the first defendant collected the N20.6million from the complainant, she stopped picking his  calls and also refused to return the naira nor the dollar equivalent, after several search for her, she later came to pay $50,000.”

    The offence, the prosecutor said, was punishable under Sections 411, 314 (1), (3)ý and 287 (5) (a) of the Criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

    The duo pleaded not guilty.

    Their counsel, Lanre Adaramimo, urged the court to grant them bail in liberal terms, but the prosecutor objected to the request.

    The prosecutor warned that the defendants would jump bail, as Daniel, who was supposed to be charged with them, escaped from police custody yesterday morning before he could be brought to court.

    He pleaded that the defendants be granted bail that would ensure they came to court for their trial.

    Chief Magistrate Komolafe granted them N3million bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    The sureties, she said must be employed. They are also to have affidavit of means, proof of bank account, show evidence of three years tax payment and verifiable addresses.

    The case continues September 19.

  • Man in court for ‘theft of batteries’

    A 33-year-old man, Christopher Umeh, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State for alleged theft of five vehicle batteries valued N90,000 .

    Umeh, whose address was not given, is facing a charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Bankole Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 15 at Igbo Church, Oke-Ila, Ado-Ekiti.

    He said the accused broke into a battery shop belonging to Mr. Aliu Idowu and stole the batteries.

    “The accused was apprehended by security guards, who handed him over to the police,” Olasunkanmi said.

  • Five arraigned for ‘theft of employer’s iron rods’

    The police have arraigned five persons at an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State for allegedly stealing their employer’s iron rods valued at N763,400 and other items.

    Those arraigned are Olorunwa Abiodun, 26; James Nentui, 39; Bamidele Talabi, 33; Ibrahim Agbontafara, 40; and Tijani Sulaimon, 35.

    The accused, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Chudu Gbedi, told the court that the accused and others still at large, committed the offences on August 7 at Metropolitan, Dalemo, Ota.

    He said the accused and their accomplices, all employees of Vino Furniture Product Ltd, the complainant, conspired to steal 54 pieces of iron rods and other valuable items.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 390(6) and 516) of the Criminal Code Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. Senior Magistrate S. O. Banwo granted bail to each of the accused persons at N350,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Banwo said the sureties must live within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    He ordered the sureties to submit four recent passport photographs to the court and show evidence of tax payment from the Ogun State government.

    Banwo adjourned the case till September 14 for hearing.

  • Jonathan’s home: Police dismisses four for theft

    Jonathan’s home: Police dismisses four for theft

    The FCT Police Command has dismissed four policemen for their involvement in the theft of property belonging to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The policemen who were on guard duty at the Gwarinpa residence of Jonathan stole movable items including furniture sets, beds, electronics, toilet electrical fittings and internal doors and frames.

    The affected men were dismissed after an Orderly Room trial.

    The dismissed policemen are; F/No. 436691 Sgt Musa Musa, F/No. 235422 Sgt John Nanpak, F/No. 261898 Sgt Ogah Audu and F/No. 425210 Sgt Gabriel Ugah.

    The police also  said the case of two other policemen, AP/No.141199 Inspr Lengs Satlakau and AP/No. 150566 Inspr Usman Wuduki  involved in theft has been forwarded to AIG Zone 7 for further action.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Thursday by the Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah.

    The Command explained that their dismissal was in compliance with the vision of IGP Ibrahim Idris to rid the Nigeria Police Force of criminal elements.

    The statement reads: “In fulfilment of the promise by the FCT Police Command to make public its findings on the investigation of the case of theft at the Gwarimpa residence of Former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the Command wishes to state that in line with first schedule of police Act and regulation 370 Cap 19, the Policemen guarding the house have been tried in an orderly room proceeding and found culpable of the offence.

    “Sequel to the out-come of the orderly room proceeding, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Musa Kimo has approved the immediate dismissal of the Policemen.”

    The Command while stating that the main culprit, Sgt. Musa would be charged to court upon completion of investigation added that efforts are being intensified to arrest his accomplice, Mallam Shuaibu who is currently at large.

     

  • Jonathan lists items stolen from his house

    Jonathan lists items stolen from his house

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has listed items stolen from one of his house located at Gwarimpa, Abuja to include six television sets, three refrigerators and one gas cooker.

    A statement Tuesday by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze debunked media report that 36 units of plasma television sets and 25 refrigerators were stolen in the house.

    Eze added that the house was totally stripped bare by the thieves who stole every movable item, including furniture sets, beds, electronics, toilet and electrical fittings, as well as all internal doors and frames.

    The statement said, “The theft was discovered last month upon which a report was duly lodged with the relevant police authorities.

    “The police immediately commenced investigations which led to the arrest and detention of some suspects, six of whom were policemen, even as investigations continue”.

    “We thank all Nigerians for their show of concern and wish to convey the former President’s goodwill to all Nigerians”.

    According to the media aide, Jonathan bought the house, “a modest 4-bedroom duplex”, from CITEC Estate Developers in 2004.

  • Security guard jailed for robbing boss

    Security guard jailed for robbing boss

    A 24-year man, identified as John Kaduna has been sentenced to  one year jail term for robbing his boss, Mr. Nosa Orhue.

    John who worked as a security guard was accused of stealing the sum of N65, 000 and other items worth N150,000.

    The items were an ipad phone worth N128,000), a Nokia Torch Light phone  N4,500, a wristwatch valued at N1,500, a bag worth N4,500) and six clothes valued at N12,000.

    John was said to have committed the offence in February 2017 at No 11, Orhue Crescent, Evbuodia quarters in Benin City.

    He pleaded guilty to the two count charges preferred against him and was subsequently convicted.

    Presiding Magistrate, F. E Akhere, sentenced him to one year imprisonment or an option of N30, 000 fine.

    Two other persons, Amos Daniel and Peter Godwin, who were arraigned alongside John were sentenced to six months imprisonment each or an option of N10, 000 fine.

    Amos and Peter were found guilty of unlawful procurement of items stolen by John.

    They pleaded guilty to the one count charge preferred against them and begged the court for leniency.

    Both claimed that they were not aware that the items were stolen.

    The Presiding Magistrate also directed that the recovered items be returned to the lawful owner 30 days after the judgment.

     

  • Two held for ‘vehicle theft’

    A driver, Godwin Okpe and his conductor, Dare Shobola, who allegedly stole a vehicle valued at N850,000 were yesterday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Okpe, 53, and Shobola, 30, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The defendants who live at Agbado in Ogun, however, pleaded not guilty and were admitted to N250,000 bail each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    Magistrate O. J. Awope adjourned the case till July 17 for mention.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde had told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 12 at Abule-Egba, Lagos.

    He said the accused persons conspired to steal a vehicle valued at N850,000 property of one Mr Akeem Jolaosho.

    “The accused stole the complainant’s Ford bus,” he said.

    Ayorinde said that the complainant gave his bus to the defendants, after some days, the accused persons told him that the vehicle was stolen from where it was parked.

    “The accused persons called the complainant to inform him that thieves had stolen his bus.

    “The complainant suspected a foul play, he handed over the accused persons to the police,” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

  • Two held for N3.7m cameras theft

    Two held for N3.7m cameras theft

    The police in Lagos have arrested two suspects for allegedly stealing cameras worth N3.7 million.

    Famous Imemisi, a resident of Ikosi in Ketu and another man were arrested by policemen at the Ago, Okota Division.

    Armed with knife, Imemisi was said to have entered some shops along Ago Palace Way, Okota, attacked the occupants and carted away Canon Cameras.

    It was gathered that he tied up a female shop attendant in one of the outlets he went to steal, before carting away cameras and laptops.

    According to a victim, Jasper Ibeh, who said six cameras were recovered from Imemisi, told The Nation that the suspect entered his studio pretending to be a client.

    He said: “The guy (Imemisi) came to my studio pretending to a client. He met a photographer, while I went to meet another client. He played along like a client. But when he saw that no one was watching him, he attacked my photographer in the studio and they were dragging.

    “As they were struggling, electricity was restored and fortunately, my neighbour entered the studio to inform my boy that they have brought light so that he would turn off the generator.

    “It was my neighbour who saw him dragging with my boy and she also heard my boy screaming for help. When she saw it was robbery, she raised alarm and people gathered. That was how he was caught and taken to the police station.”

    According to Ibeh, the suspect initially denied the offence but when other victims he stole from identified him, he confessed and fingered his alleged accomplice.

    When the police conducted a search on the suspects, Ibeh said professional digital cameras belonging to photographers in Ago were found.

    Contacted, spokesman for the command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the suspects have been charged to court.

  • Man ‘hypnotises’ boy, steals N230, 000

    Man ‘hypnotises’ boy, steals N230, 000

    A man, who allegedly hypnotised a 17-year-old boy and stole his N230, 000, was Monday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Sunday Omoloye, 32, of no fixed address, was arraigned before Mrs A. T. Omoyele on a three-count charge of fraud, obtaining by false pretence and stealing.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji said Omoloye and others at large committed the alleged offence on May 31, 2017 at Ikate in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

    The defendant, he alleged, fraudulently obtained the sum of N230, 000, from the teenager, who was by his mother to deposit the money into the bank account of her customer.

    Osuji said: “When the teenager got to the bank, the place was filled up so he decided to try another branch, but as he came out of the bank, the defendant and others at large met and touched him.

    “He immediately lost his senses and later found himself with the defendant and others at Aboki Estate, Ikate, close to Eleguish Beach.

    “As soon as he regained his senses, he raised the alarm and passersby apprehended the defendant while the others fled.”

    ‎According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Sections 411, 314 (1b) and 287, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Omoyele granted him N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned till July 7, for mention.

     

  • Three charged with stealing in Church

    Three charged with stealing in Church

    Three men, Hamza Salihu, Akorede Babalola, and Isaac Aboyomi, were on Wednesday, arraigned in an Upper Area Court, Gudu, Abuja for allegedly stealing in Church.

    The trio, whose ages ranged between 40 and 32, have no fixed address.

    They are standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft.

    Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, the prosecutor, told the court that Mr Austin Abua, Chief Security Officer of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Church, Garki, reported the matter at Garki Police Station on May 27.

    Ogbobe said the three defendants “formed a common intention by criminally trespassing into the said Church with the intention to committing an offence of theft.”

    He said one of the accused, Salihu, while in the Church, put his hand into the bag of one of the worshipers and stole her handset and N25, 000.

    According to the prosecutor, he was arrested in the process which also led to the arrest of his accomplices.

    Ogbobe said the offence was contrary to sections 343 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    However, the three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 each.

    The judge also ordered each of them to produce a reliable surety in like sum.

    He said the prosecutor should confirm the internal and external addresses of the sureties, and adjourned hearing until July 26.