2 Alaba Traders Arrested For Stealing & Buying N19m Stolen Goods

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

The Police intelligence unit of the Ilembe Hausa Division of the Lagos State Command has arrested two traders at Alaba International Market in Ojo for their alleged involvement in the stealing and buying of stolen goods worth N19m belonging to another trader inside the market. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that one of the traders, Chukwuemeka Obelenwa, stole the items worth the said amount belonging to Akunna Victor and sold it to a 68-year old man, Mustapha Sabami, at a reduced price.

However, when the owner discovered that the items were missing, he reported to the Police. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the first defendant, Obelenwa and detained him at the station for interrogation over the missing items.

During the interrogation, he made confessional statements and mentioned the second defendant, Sabami, as the buyer and he was also arrested and detained at the station.

The Police did not state if they recovered the items as exhibits. The suspects were found culpable and charged before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read :

That you, Chukwuemeka Obelenwa ‘m’, between the months of January, 2024 and July, 2024 at about 1000hrs at Alaba Int’l Market, Ojo, Lagos State in the Ojo Magisterial District, did steal different types of AKT Led Bulbs and Lights valued Nineteen Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N19,220.000.00) only, property of one Akunna Victor ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II: That you, Mustapha Sabami, and other now at large at about 1200hrs at Alaba International Market, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did dishonestly receive different types of AKT Led Bulbs and Lights valued Nineteen Million Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N19,220.000.00) only from one Chukwuemeka Obelenwa ‘m’ knowing same to have been stolen; property of one Akunna Victor ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 328(1) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.”

They pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.M. Alade, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till 3rd October, 2024, for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.