Four men, who allegedly stole property worth N325, 000 under the pretext of assisting them during a fire disaster, were on Monday charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The accused are: Kowa Agbanla, 18, a mechanic of No. 148, Mushin Road, Itire and Seun Alabi, 18, a cobbler, of No. 3, Ijero St., Masha, Lagos State.

Others are: Aminu Mohammed, 18, a welder of No. 40, Aborisade Road, Lawanson and Segun Majekodunmi, 28, a vulcanizer of 4, Ojo St., Itire, all in Lagos State.

The accused are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of property belonging to Mrs Olusola Lamina.

The prosecutor, Insp. Edet Akadu, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Jan. 3 at No.7, Ayuda Dauda St. in Ilasamaja, Lagos State.

He said that the accused conspired to steal the property under the pretext of Lamina to rescue some of her valuables during a fire outbreak.

Akadu said that there was a fire disaster at Lamina’s house and she was packing her property out of her apartment before it would spread there.

The prosecutor told the court that the accused was alleged to have offered to help the complainant.

“The accused stole different types of gold wrist watches and handsets valued at N 295, 000 and a N30, 000 cash, all totaling N 325, 000.

“The complainant’s house caught fire, the accused jumped into her room pretending to assist her rescue some of her property.

“In the process, the accused carted away some of the complainant’s valuables. ” he said.

The offences, Akadu said, contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes three years’ jail term as penalty for stealing.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and were granted bail in the sum of N 100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The magistrate, Mr A. Akinwunmi, adjourned the case to Feb. 12 for mention. (NAN)

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