A 23-year-old man, Ololade Sapara on Wednesday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N700, 000 cash and N80, 000 airtime.
Sapara, a resident of Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos State, is being tried for conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 2, at Oriola Street, Alapere, Ketu in Lagos.
He said that on June 13, the complainant, Mr John Mamilor, a fashion designer, came to the Alapere Police Station and reported the crime.
“On June 2, he discovered that his Gionee A1 light phone, valued at N68, 000, was stolen from him, so, he went to do another welcome back sim.
“On June 4, he started receiving debit alert messages from his Ecobank account. So, he went to the customer care unit of his bank to complain.
He discovered that money was debited from his account on Point of Sales (POS) and later through a bank transfer and express cash, with 9mobile, formerly Etisalat line, which was used to buy a credit of N80, 000.
“On June 13, about N700, 000 had been transferred from his Eco Bank account to a Diamond Bank account number 0083395230, with the name Adebayo Ayomide Sapara- brother to the accused.
“It was based on the discovery that the accused was traced and arrested, and handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.
He said that the offence contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised), which prescribed three-year jail term for stealing.
The accused, however, denied committing the offence and was granted a bail of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, said that the sureties should be gainfully employed, and must show evidences of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Kubeinje fixed further hearing in the case until Nov. 20. (NAN)