2 men in court over alleged theft of air-conditioners worth N350, 000

An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Thursday admitted to N50,000 bail two men who allegedly stole two Yakohama Air Conditioners valued at N350,000.

The accused: Anuga James, 27, a security guard with Studio 24, Ogudu-Lagos branch and Lekan Jamiu, 25, an ex-employee of the company, had pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.

Mrs T. Akanni, the Magistrate, granted the accused bail with two sureties each.

She said that the sureties must show evidence of gainful employment and payment of two years’ tax to the Lagos State Government.

Akanni also directed the prosecution to verify the addresses of the two accused.

The magistrate subsequently adjourned the case until Aug. 7 for continuation of hearing.

Earlier, the Police prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 8 at Studio 24, Ogudu Road, Ojota.

Ihiehie said that Mrs Godswill Ukeme, the manager of the company, reported the case at the Ogudu Police Station.

“At 5.30 p.m., one of the security men, Anuga James, told the technical head of the company that one of the guards on duty with him on May 7, Lekan Jamiu, brought a stranger into the company premises.

“Jamiu brought out two Yakohama Air Conditioners valued at N350, 000 and sold them to the stranger in Anuga’s presence.

“Anuga tried to stop Jamiu and the stranger but he couldn’t as the man started fighting him and Jamiu just entered a vehicle and drove away,’’ the prosecutor said.

However, Jamiu said that Anuga; Peter, who is a cleaner with the company, and himself conspired together to sell the two air conditioners.

Ihiehie said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Our correspondent reports that Section 287 provides three years’ jail term for stealing, while Section 411 prescribes two years for conspiracy.