Two In Court For Stealing N22.2m Goods

A 50-year-old trader, George Daramola, and a 36-year-old student, Saturday Mekuleyi, were yesterday arraigned before a Tinubu magistrate’s court, for stealing goods worth N22.2 million.

Docked before Magistrate Yetunde Phinero, the defendants, who reside at 7, Babafemi Osora Crescent, Lekki Phase I and 2, Admiralty Close, Lekki Phase I off Babafemi Crescent respectively, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Ignatus Okeke, told the court that the defendants and others at large conspired to commit the alleged offences.

He said the defendants on June 27 between 9 and 10 am broke into a house at 7, Babafemi Osoka Crescent, Lekki Phase I in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and stole some goods worth N22,244,426 belonging to one Olufemi Ogunnike.

Okeke said some of the items stolen are 20 designer hand bags, 40 designer shoes, five boxes of English wears, four gold set of jewellery, designer watches, hair extension, three boxes of shirts and T-shirts.

Other items are Lenovo laptop, two school sandals, one Apple ipad and home theatre.

The prosecutor also told the court that the second defendant received the stolen property from the first defendant knowing that they were stolen.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to Section 409 and punishable under Sections 285 and 320 (11) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, Nigeria, 2011.

However, defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Magistrate Yetunde Phinero granted the first defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum, while the second defendant was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.