Man, 22, docked over theft of N72,500 phones in church, mosques

A 22-year-old man, Abiodun Olarenwaju, was on Friday arraigned in an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly stealing four cell phones worth N72, 500 in some places of worship.

The accused, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge of felony and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The prosecutor, Insp Kayode Emmanuel, told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 5.pm at Onikoko area of Abeokuta.

Emmanuel said that the accused entered into the mosque and stole a Techno Camon C8 phone valued at N30,000 and Nokia 210 worth N10,000, property of one Osanyinbi Basirat.

He was also alleged to have stolen from the Abundant Life Redeemed Church an Infinix hot note phone valued at N27, 000 belonging to one Ogunsakin Oluwatunmise.

The prosecutor explained further that on Aug. 13, at about 5:30 pm, the accused entered one Fehintolu Mosque at Onikoko in Abeokuta and stole a Nokia phone valued at N5, 500 belonging to one Fajobi Taiwo.

Emmanuel said that the offence contravened Sections 415 and 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Ogun, 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs Oriyomi Shofowora, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Shofowora, who said that the address of the sureties must be verified by the police, added that they must be gainfully employed and must have been a tax payer in Ogun for at least one year.

She adjourned the case till Nov. 16 for hearing.