NAN-H-21
Phone
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) A 21-year-old auto mechanic, Abubakar Rasheed, who allegedly snatched a N34, 000 phone from a tricycle passenger, was on Wednesday released on N40,000 bail on the orders of a Lagos court.
Chief Magistrate Titus Abolarinwa sitting in Apapa, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused one surety in like sum, who must be his blood relation.
The surety must be gainfully employed and should provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government, he said.
A resident of No. 3, Arumo St., Ajegunle, Apapa, the accused, was arraigned for conspiracy and stealing which contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused conspired with another man still at large to steal a phone valued at N34,000 belonging to a man, Tunde Yakubu, Prosecutor Tony Elibe told the court.
He said the offences were committed on Jan. 29 at 11.00 p.m. at Arumo Street, Ajegunle.
He alleged that the complainant was holding his phone in a moving tricycle in the traffic when the accused and his accomplice snatched his phone and ran away.
“The complainant raised an alarm and the accused was given a chase by passersby.
“The accused unfortunately fell into a gutter and he was apprehended and brought to the police station while his accomplice escaped with the phone.’’
The accused, however, denied the charges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that under the Criminal Law, the accused may be sentenced to three years imprisonment on conviction.
The magistrate adjourned the case to March 8 for mention. (NAN)
LAW/DA
Editing by Dele Akinsola