NAN-H-33
Burglary
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Aug. 30, 2017 (NAN) The police on Wednesday arraigned three men, Moruf Yusuf, 26; Benson Awotunya,62; and Akachukwu Ohargbulem,41 in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into three apartments and stealing property worth N2.5million.
The accused businessmen are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court the accused and others still at large, committed the offence on Aug. 3 between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.
Ayorinde said that the accused and the others broke into the apartments of Mr Akpan Nicholas, Mr Abdullahi Usman and Mr Temitope Ayeni and carted away property valued at N2.5 million.
He said that one of the complainants returned home from a journey and saw a wallet belonging to one of the accused in his apartment.
The prosecutor said details in the items found inside the wallet helped in tracking the accused.
“One of the complainants saw a black wallet containing one of the identity card of one of the accused, a complimentary card, money, a wristwatch and other documents.
“With the information inside the wallet, the accused was caught and this led to the arrest of others,” he said.
He said that the offence contravened Sections 287, 308 (2) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 308 (2) prescribes seven years imprisonment for the offence on conviction.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs J.O. Awope, granted them bail to accused in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Awope ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 20 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/ÓSA/EMO/
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ejike Obeta