Teenager docked for allegedly stealing friend’s phone

A 17-year old boy, Wasiu Babatunde, on Friday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo, for allegedly stealing his friend’s Samsung Galaxy phone worth N85,000.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, ASP Matthew Famuyiwa, told the court that the defendants committed the offence sometime in June at about 6:30 p.m. at Shed Scrap Market Railway Station in Lafenwa area in Abeokuta.

Famuyiwa, alleged that the defendant conspired with others still at large and stole a Samsung Galaxy S8 Android phone valued N85,000, property of one Lawal Abubakar.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant came to visit the complainant in his shop; on getting there, the complainant told him he was going to play football, which he agreed to join him.

“While getting to the field, few minutes later, the defendant told the complainant Abubakar, his friend, that he was going to Lagos.

Meanwhile, Babatunde went back to his friend’s shop and told the younger brother of the complainant that Abubakar asked him to bring his phone for him with pure water.

“On returning, the complainant, asked for his phone from his younger brother and he informed him his friend Babatunde had come to collect the phone on his behalf, which the complainant did not ask him to collect”, he said.

Famuyiwa further explained that the defendant made a confessional statement while he was arrested, that he stole the phone and sold it to a man for N15,000.

The prosecutor, however, noted that the offences contravened sections 516 and 390(9) of the criminal code Vol.1 law of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, Mr Oluseyi Olusanya, granted bail to the defendant, in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He, however, adjourned the case until Oct. 15 for further hearing.