Three in court for stealing properties worth N1.47m

Three men were arraigned yesterday at the Ogba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing household items worth N1.470 million.

The accused are Musa Abba, 49, Lawal Suleiman, 42, and Adebayo Samuel, 48.

The men are standing trial on a three-count charge of burglary, stealing and receiving stolen goods.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Edet Okoi, told the court that Abba, employed as a security guard, stole some household equipment from the complainant Oseni Rasaki.

Okoi said the theft took place sometime in October at No. 5, J. Bash Avenue, Oshorun Heritage Estate, Isheri, Lagos State.

According to him, the items stolen are three television sets, a set of LG sound system and cell phones worth N1.470 million. Okoi said that Suleiman and Samuel bought the items for N150, 000 from Abba, knowing that they were stolen items.

The prosecutor said that the goods were stolen from Rasaki’s apartment while he was out of the country. He further said that Rasaki had sent his brother, Akeem, to his house to pick up some things, only to discover the apartment had been burgled.

Okoi said that the defendants were later arrested by policemen at Isheri.

 He said: “During the police investigation, the accused could not give a satisfactory account of how they came to be in possession of the items.”

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 307 and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 328 stipulates 15 years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

Chief Magistrate A.O. Layinka granted the first accused N500,000 bail with two sureties, while the second and third accused were given N300,000 bail with two sureties in like sum each.

Layinka said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have properties in Lagos. The Magistrate added that the sureties must also provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Layinka adjourned the case until January 23, 2018 for mention.