Five men, who allegedly broke into a shop and stole items worth N308, 000, were on Wednesday
arraigned before Chief Magistrate O. Sule-Amzat in Lagos.
The accused are Damilare Omoniyi, 19; Adedayo Shodipo, 20; Idris Abubakar, 23; and Olamide Adedimeji, 18; and Tolani
Nasri, 22 — all residents of Oshodi area of Lagos.
The accused are standing trial on a three-count charge of burglary, stealing and receiving stolen goods at an Ikeja Magistrates’
Court.
The prosecutor, Police Insp. Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the accused broke into the shop of a man, John Ezeka, and
stole recharge cards, a carton of Indomie noodles, all valued at N223, 000 and a cash of N85, 000.
Emuerhi said the accused committed the offences on April 17 at No. 1, Edu St., Mafoluku in Oshodi, Lagos.
“They broke into the shop of the complainant through the ceiling and stole the properties but were apprehended by
security guards.”
According to the prosecutor, one of the accused persons, Nasri collected N2, 000 each from his cohorts knowing full well
that the money was stolen.
Emuerhi said the men were later arrested by some policemen at Mafoluku.
The offences contravened Sections 287, 309, 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 328
stipulates 15 years for offenders.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate, however, granted the accused N100, 000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
Sule-Amzat said the sureties must be gainfully employed in reputable companies and should have properties in Lagos.
In addition, the sureties should provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail
condition.
The case has been adjourned until July 23. (NAN)