Police Arraign Two Men Over Alleged N70m Phone Accessories Theft in Lagos
Kehinde Adeleye
Two men, Chima Junior, 25, and Chiemerie Ikenna, 18, have been arraigned before an Ojo Magistrate Court in Lagos State over the alleged theft and receipt of phone accessories valued at N70 million at Alaba International Market.
The defendants appeared before Magistrate Mrs L.K.J. Layeni on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.
The charge was filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet marked MI/1/158/06, the prosecutor, SP Uche Simon, told the court that the alleged offences occurred around noon at FFAA Alaba, within the Alaba area of Lagos State and the Ojo Magisterial District.
The first count accused both defendants of conspiring to commit felony by stealing, an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second count alleged that Chima Junior stole various phone accessories belonging to SKYHOST LIMITED, represented by Akpuenike Chukwunonso.
The items listed in the charge sheet included 10 cartons of headsets valued at N20 million, 20 cartons of charger cables worth N15 million, five cartons of power banks valued at N10 million, 30 cartons of charger heads worth N13 million and 20 cartons of Bluetooth devices valued at N12 million.
The total value of the items allegedly stolen was put at N70 million. The stealing charge was brought under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The third count accused Chiemerie Ikenna of receiving the items allegedly stolen by the first defendant, an offence punishable under Section 328(1) of the same law.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them in court.
Following their pleas, the prosecutor requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel applied for bail on their behalf, assuring the court that they would not jump bail and would make themselves available for trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Layeni granted the defendants bail with two sureties, who must provide evidence of their means of livelihood and tax payment.
The magistrate ordered that the defendants remain in custody at a correctional facility pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
The case was subsequently adjourned for mention.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
