Kunle Awosiyan and Felix Kuyinu
The Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS) has revealed that stealing dominated criminal cases in the state, with 21,084 cases representing 44 percent.
This was followed by breaches of peace with 7,044 cases (15 percent), armed robbery at 10 percent (4,518 cases), and sexual crimes being the least at five percent with 2,231 cases.
These statistics were confirmed by our correspondent who has been monitoring proceedings at the various courts.
Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than 20 theft-related offences are heard in courts monthly.
Between August 15 and September 15 that our correspondent monitored court proceedings in some parts of Lagos, it was observed that at least one case of domestic theft is heard in the court.
First was a 33-year-old driver, Oluwatosin Eko, who allegedly stole his employer’s N22,280,000.
He was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate Court, Ebute-Meta on two counts bordering on conspiracy, and stealing.
Eko also stole two sets of gold jewelry valued at N16,000,000 all amounting to N22,280,000, all belonging to his employer, one Aderonke Sodeke.
On July 1, Security personnel arraigned before the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for stealing N250,000 and 50 litres of diesel valued at N50,000 from St Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.
The defendants, Victor Odeh, 22; Jeremiah Negedu 32; Ubi Mbeh, 40; and Idris Olatunji, 44 were standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and burglary preferred against them by the police.
The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 1, at about 1:00 a.m., at St Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.
A 33-year-old cleaner, Charles Sunday, who was arraigned before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a gold chain and other items valued at N3.250,000 from his employer. Sunday, who resides at No. 15, Orchid Road, Eleganza, Lekki, is facing a charge of stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged crime while employed as a cleaner for the complainant, Mr Temitope Aremu.
He said the incident took place between July and August 2024 at the Horizon Court Estate, Ikate, Lekki.In another case of theft, one Semeko Atewon, allegedly stole an Infinity Smart 8 phone valued at N150,000.
Another suspect identified as Jimoh Samod is on trial for allegedly stealing slippers worth N3,045,000 in Badagry, Lagos.
27-year-old Samod was arraigned at the Magistrates’ Court in Badagry on accusations of stealing 203 packs of slippers.
Inspector Edet Ekpo, standing as Prosecutor, said that the defendant, put on one count charge of stealing, committed the offence between July 5 and July 6 at Jegba, Marina area of Badagry.
At the Magistrates’ Court in Ikorodu the trio of Azeez Sadiq, 35, Taiwo Olayinka, 30 and Monsurudeen Saheed, 21, were accused of dragging their victims to a secluded area and forcefully collected sum N13,000 from them.
Even though the gang pleaded not guilty, the Prosecutor still maintained that they committed the offences on August 20, at about 12 p.m. at Mobile petrol station, behind F One Bar, Ikorodu, Lagos, thus, contravening Sections 411, 172 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Cases of persons stealing at their workplace were also held in courts and no fewer than five suspects were arraigned for stealing from their employers.
Three security guards, Bullum Agim, 38, Gabriel Edet, 31 and Samuel Nkana, 33, were remanded for allegedly stealing Aluminum Materials worth N61,000,000.
The police operatives at Maroko Division, where the matter was reported by the employer, accused the employees of stealing the items at No 6, Olunda Ogungbe street, Lekki, where they were initially employed to guard the stolen items.
At the Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court, where the suspects were arraigned, the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ejima Okete, said that the defendants lied about thieves breaking into the premises to cart away the items.
Magistrate Bola Sonuga remanded them at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till October 8th.
A similar case of alleged theft at workplace is that of Ayoke Dowe, who according to the police stole the sum of N4.5million. He was a company accountant in a firm identified as Midak Property Limited.
Dowe, 35, was arrested by Police operatives at Maroko Division and arraigned at the Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court where he was said to have fraudulently withdrew the sum from the company’s account and converted to his use.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Gbenga Salami, the company, at Plot 19, Olowoeko Close, Jose Maria Escriva Estate, Ikate Lekki, took audit of the account and found out the missing funds. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended at his hideout in Lagos.
In another theft case, One Kehinde Akinkugbe alongside his accomplices were arraigned for stealing transformer worth N50 million.
Akinkugbe and the other accused, Tope Salisu and Isiaka Amusa were on trial on three-count of conspiracy, stealing and malicious damage, at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court over an alleged act.
They were accused of commiting the offence on August 22, at about 2:30am along Ajeri Street, Ijede, Ikorodu, as informed by the Police Prosecutor, ASP Aminu.
Another case of theft is of three men who were accused of stealing cartons of N10 million. The suspects were arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing the items which belong to one Nneka Moses, the complainant.
Iberedem stated that two of the suspects, Saheed Olayinka, 32, Larry Olatuberu, 30, are on trial for stealing, while third accused, Francis Ezema, 27 was charged for receiving and obtaining stolen property.
They were accused of stealing Sieman Schnapps, Action Bitters, Chelsea Dry Gin, Orijin Bitters and Black Woods drinks at the complainant’s shop situated in Balogun Market, Masalashi Alhaja in Agege Lagos.
One Kuju Abel is on trial for allegedly stealing a tipper of sand worth N200,000 in Badagry, Lagos.
Abel who is 32 years of age was brought before the Badagry Magistrates’ Court on three count charge of conspiracy, assault and theft.
Standing as Prosecutor at the trial was Inspector Ayodele Adeosun who told the court that the defendant and others at large stole the sand which belong to one Adeshina Lateef on July 4, around 2pm at Agumo Community in Oko-Afo, Badagry.
Another gang of six is facing trial for theft. The police arraigned the sextet for allegedly kidnapping and stealing phone worth N1,200,000.
The group were also alleged to have stolen cash and intimated a duo : Kapo Muniru and Oyedeji Samuel, the complainants.
The gang identified as Emmanuel Nwachukwu of age 26, Abel Odiete, 28, Divine Eta, 27, Chinedu Ihechi, 27, Titilayo Campos, 29 and one Boniface Isaiah, 32, were brought for commencement of trial at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adegeshin Famuyiwa, said that the suspects conspired with others at large to harm the complainants. He also disclosed that they are charged with conspiracy, felony to wit grievous harm, kidnapping, unlawful deprivation and stealing.
They stole a phone valued N160,000 and fraudulently withdrew the sum of N1,000,000 from one Kapo Muniru’s bank account.
A 52-year old man, Samuel Jidenu, was given the task to carry out a community service as punishment for stealing.
(Lagos Attorney General, Pedro)
Jidenu was arraigned and sentenced at the Badagry Magistrates’ Court.
The Magistrate, Nurudeen Layeni, delivered the judgement after listening to the prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo, who submitted that the offender convicted commited the act on August 6 at Povita Site of Prime Meritean in Badagry.
Reacting to the LCIS data, Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, said that Oshodi/Isolo and Apapa areas currently have the highest crime rates in the state.
He disclosed that between 2018 and 2024, 62,117 inmates were enrolled in LCIS, with Lekki accounting for 13 percent of reported cases.
He said that Oshodi/Isolo, Apapa, and Ojo each followed with 10 percent, while Alimosho represented nine percent, Agege and Ikeja eight percent each, Mushin six percent, Lagos Island five percent, and Yaba four percent.
However, Epe, Ajeromi, and Victoria Island ranked lowest at two percent each, with Ikoyi slightly higher at three percent.
The statistics also highlighted the state of origin of defendants, revealing that Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos indigenes topped the list of crime suspects.
He stated that Ogun State has 17 percent of the total crimes in Lagos, amounting to 5,294 cases. Oyo State follows with 13 percent (4,090 cases), and Lagos State ranks third with 11 percent (3,295 cases).
He also stated that states like Kano, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Abia were the lowest contributors in this category.
However, he recommended collaboration and data sharing among criminal justice agencies through regular inter-agency meetings, joint training programs, and integrated data management systems.
According to him, “Expanding the use of technology across the criminal justice system, including extending LCIS, BIMS, and OBS coverage, and increasing electronic case filing and management systems adoption.
“Enhancing capacity building and training for criminal justice professionals, including law enforcement, the judiciary, corrections, and community service.
“Promoting public awareness and engagement in criminal justice reforms through community forums, media campaigns, and educational initiatives.
“Institutionalising the Bondsmen Scheme to enhance the bail process’s efficiency and effectiveness, with clear guidelines, standards, and oversight mechanisms.
“Our justice professionals must be equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to uphold justice effectively.
“Building additional custodial centers to address overcrowding and improve inmate living conditions, leveraging the success of the Correctional Centre for Boys.
“These reforms have immense potential benefits, and I am confident we can achieve them holistically and collaboratively.
