26-year-old man remanded in prison for alleged theft

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 26-year-old man, John Thompson, in Kirikiri prison for allegedly stealing cash and goods worth N3 million.

The accused, who resides at Dopemu area of Ikeja, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah told the court that the accused conspired with one other person at large, to steal cash, phones, wristwatches and other items valued at N3 million from his cousin’s husband, Olalere Fajimolu.

According to Unah, the accused committed the offences on June 20 at Ajibodu Str., Ogba, Ikeja.

The prosecutor claimed that the accused was stealing the items in bits so that the complainant would not suspect him.

He said the accused stole the items and gave them to his accomplice to keep for him.

The prosecutor said that when the complainant confronted everybody in the house, the accused started acting in a suspiscious manner, because he had some of the stolen items in his pockets.

“When Fajimolu noticed Thompson was very restless, he decided to check him and was shocked to discover that the accused had some of the items, he was looking for, in his pockets.

“The complainant reported the matter to the Police and the accused was arrested for questioning,’’ Unah said.

He said the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Our correspondent reports that Section 287 prescribes three-year jail term for stealing.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.O Gbajumo, ordered the accused to be kept behind bars until Sept. 20, for hearing on his bail application.