Unemployed charged with N180,000 theft

Lagos – A 32-year-old unemployed man, Emeka Ezeakonaobi, on Monday appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged N180,000 theft and assault,

The accused, who has no fixed address, was arraigned on a three-count charge.

The Prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 15, at the Alaba Rago Market, Okomaiko in Lagos.

“The accused, and others now at large, within
the market, stole N45, 000, a BlackBerry and a Nokia phone, worth N135,000, all totaling N180,000.

He said that the items belonged to Mr Eze Oba.

“The accused, after stealing from the complainant, also assaulted him by breaking a bottle on his forehead, causing him to sustain an injury,’’ he said.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 171, 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Taslimi Shomade, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case till June 24 for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 provides that any person who steals any property is guilty of a felony, and liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for three years.(NAN)