Police Arraign Four Over Alleged Burglary at De-Legend Hotel, Ikotun
Kehinde Adeleye
Four men have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over the alleged burglary of De-Legend Hotel in Ikotun and the theft of properties valued at N16.3 million.
The defendants, identified as Etim Nyong Asuquo, 31; Amune Topa, 32; Aleke Miracle, 24; and Bala Sanni, 47, appeared before Magistrate Mrs O. Kusanu on charges bordering on conspiracy, burglary, stealing and receiving stolen property.
The case was prosecuted by SP Philip Adegbemuji, while the charge was filed by the Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja, and signed by its Officer-in-Charge, SP Banti Adamu.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred on September 8, 2026, at about 8 a.m. at De-Legend Hotel, Ikotun, Lagos.
In the first count, the police accused Asuquo, Topa, Miracle and other suspects still at large of conspiring to commit felony through burglary and stealing.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In the second count, the police alleged that three of the defendants broke into the hotel, belonging to Omotayo Temitope, and stole properties valued at N16,367,100.
The items listed in the charge included an APC Industrial UPS 100KVA valued at N7 million, 23 refrigerator compressors worth N2.32 million and eight standing split air conditioners valued at N1.08 million.
Other items allegedly stolen were a 16-channel mixer valued at N250,000, two microphones worth N48,000, an extension wire valued at N10,000, a voltage step-down worth N15,000, 33 air conditioner remote controls valued at N132,000 and 26 television remote controls worth N52,000.
The list also included four walkie-talkies valued at N100,000, a pack of Origin drink worth N30,000, a set of bedsheets valued at N35,000 and a pack of dustbins worth N60,000.
The second count was brought under Section 307(a), (b), (c) and (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In the third count, Bala Sanni was accused of dishonestly receiving stolen properties from Asuquo and Topa between April 1 and September 8, 2026, in Ikotun.
The police alleged that the items included spare parts, an industrial stabiliser, a washing machine, refrigerator compressors, air conditioners and waste bins, which Sanni allegedly knew were stolen.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 314(1), (2) and (3) of the same law.
When the charges were read to the defendants, all four pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, their counsel applied for bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that the defendants had fixed addresses and would not abscond.
Magistrate Kusanu granted each defendant bail with two sureties, directing that the sureties provide evidence of their means of livelihood and proof of tax payment.
The court ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
The alleged burglary has raised concerns over the impact of the incident on the hotel’s operations and the people who depend on the business for their livelihood.
For the hotel owner, Temitope, the reported loss goes beyond the financial value of the missing equipment, as the alleged removal of air conditioners, television-related equipment and other facilities could affect the quality of services available to guests.
Hotel workers were also said to have been left apprehensive following the incident, amid concerns about the possibility of another break-in.
For the defendants, the charges have placed their freedom and reputations at stake as they prepare to defend themselves in court.
Meanwhile, police sources said investigations were continuing to apprehend other suspects allegedly involved in the incident and recover additional stolen items.
The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.
