NAN-H-33
Machine
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, April 19, 2017 (NAN) A 22-year-old unemployed man, Oluwafemi Adebayo, who allegedly burgled a shop to steal a pumping machine valued at N250,000, was on Wednesday in Lagos released on a N50,000 bail.
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also asked the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail condition.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.I. Raji, said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Adebayo, who resides at No. 33, Aduronigbagba St., Ayobo, a Lagos suburb, entered a `not-guilty’ plea to the two-count charge of burglary and theft.
According to the Prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences on March 22 at Olasehan Street, Orisunbare, Ayobo.
He said the accused unlawfully broke into shops of the complainants — Mr Waheed Yekini and Mrs Patience Ehizogie — to steal.
“The accused stole a pumping machine from Yekini valued at N250,000 and two gas cylinders from Ehizogie worth N25,000,’’ Nwosu told the court.
He said the accused came to Yekini’s shop on a pretext of repairing his motorcycle tyre, but suddenly, he jumped up and took to his heels leaving behind his motorcycle.
“The accused brought his motorcycle to Yekini for tyre repair, he suddenly stood up and ran away without his motorcycle.
“Yekini checked the accused’s motorcycle and discovered two gas cylinders, burner, a knife and an extension box.
“He kept those items expecting that the accused will come back to collect them.
“The following morning, Yekini met his shop burgled; those items were no where to be found and also his pumping engine was also stolen.
“He got a tip-off from a neighbour that the accused was behind the burglary and the theft,” he said.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 309 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be jailed for seven years, according to the provisions of Section 309.
The Magistrate adjourned the case until April 27 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/AIB/DA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Dele Akinsola