2 Men Docked For Posing As Local Government Workers To Steal Motorcycle On Highway

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Two suspected thieves, Idowu Yusuf, 41 and Okanlanwon Abiodun, 28, have been arrested and charged for allegedly posing as Local Government officials to steal a motorcycle on the highway in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Bada area of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos State.

According to the Police, the suspects went to the bus stop, pretended to be Local Government officials and impounded a motorcycle belonging to  Nasiru Nasiru and bolted away with the motorcycle.

However, the owner discovered that the motorcycle they seized from him was not taken to the Local Government as they claimed they were workers from there.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ayobo Division. The Police moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspects at the station for interrogation over their alleged conduct.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they were not Local Government workers but pretended they were in order to steal the motorcycle.

The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Magistrate Court under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read:

COUNT 1: That you Idowu Yusuf and Okanlanwon Abiodun on the 3rd day of December, 2024 at about 1300hrs at Bada Area Ayobo Lagos, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourself to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby an committed offence contrary to and punishable under Section 41 lof criminal law, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, Idowu Yusuf and Okanlanwon Abiodun on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal a Bajaj motorcycle with Reg No PKA 117 QM valued Four Hundred And Fifty Thousand Naira (N450,000), property of one NASIRU NAZIR ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287(10) of criminal law, laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, Idowu Yusuf and Okanlanwon Abiodun on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully impersonate and falsely represent yourself as a Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area Staff and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 380(2) of criminal law, laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”

However, they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, 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, K.A. Ariyo, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 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 13th January, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.