A 25-year-old vulcanizer, Kabiru Tajudeen, who allegedly stole a gold necklace and a cell phone worth N1.8 million, was on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Omolade Awope of an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Tajudeen, a resident of No. 22, Shogbamu St., Bariga, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of assault and stealing.
The prosecutor, Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused assaulted one Martins Uche and stole a gold chain and a mobile phone valued at N1.8 million belonging to him.
Ayorinde said the accused and others currently at large committed the offences on Feb. 14 at about 4.15 p.m. at Fela’s Afrika Shrine, Agidingbi, Ikeja Area of Lagos State.
He said that the complainant alleged that some boys suddenly came into the shrine on Valentine Day from nowhere and tore his shirt while having a nice time.
Ayorinde said they hit the complainant on his shoulder with a hard object that caused him grievous bodily harm and at the same time stole a gold chain and a cell phone.
“Uche raised an alarm that led to the arrest of the accused and was handed over to the police while his accomplices fled the scene,” the prosecutor said.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 170 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 (1) stipulates that, “Any person who steals any property is guilty of a felony , and is liable , if no other punishment is provided , to imprisonment for three years.’’
However, the accused denied the charges and the Chief Magistrate Omolade Awope, granted him N300,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Awope said the sureties must be gainfully employed and must provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government) LASG).
He adjourned the case till March 10 for mention.
(NAN)