KINGSLEY EBERE
Three ladies, Chinwe Nzeator Blessing, 38, Stella Asoluka Oyinchin, 34 and Ibechiozor Chidiebere, 35, have been arrested for allegedly looting a shop and carting away goods worth over N174m at Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects allegedly stole the items belonging to Ejimofor Stephen and sold them to one Jonathan Ukachukwu, who is also in the market at a reduced price.
However, they were later caught and four of them were charged for conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal Law of the State.
According to the Police, the three ladies had between the month of January, 2024 to December, 2024 and January 2025 to June, 2025 at the market conspired to steal and received stolen goods belonging to the complainant.
When the complainant realized that the goods were missing, he reported to the Tactical team at the State Command in Ikeja, Lagos. The operatives moved into action and arrested the three ladies, who then mentioned Mr Jonathan as the buyer of the goods and he was also arrested for interrogation.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found them culpable and charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT 1:”That you, Chinwe Nzeator Blessing ‘f, Jonathan Ukachukwu ‘m’, Stella Asoluka Oyinchin ‘f’, Ibechiozor Chidiebere ‘f’ and others now at large, between the month of January, 2024 to December, 2024 and January 2025 to June, 2025 at Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and receiving stolen goods and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II: That you, Chinwe Nzeator Blessing ‘f, Stella Asoluka Oyinchin ‘f’,
Ibechiozor Chidiebere ‘f’ and others now at large, on the same dates and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal 100pcs of STD regulator with meter at 3,900, 733pcs of iron sitters big at 3,800, 879pcs burners and control short at 1,500, 879pcs iron sitter small at 3,800, 1,700pcs burners and control shot at 1,500, 832pcs burners and control long at 1,500, 360pcs aluminum camping burners long at 4,000, 986pcs comping burner long at 3,000, 250pcs comping regulator short at 3,100, 200pcs STD regulator at 30,900 and other items valued One hundred and seventy-four million, eight hundred thousand Naira (N174,800,000.00), property of one Ejimofor Stephen ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2025.”
COUNT III:” That you, Jonathan Ukachukwu ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did dishonestly receive 100pcs of STD regulator with meter at 3,900, 733pcs of iron sitters big at 3,800, 879pcs burners and control short at 1,500, 897pcs,1,700pcs burners and control shot at 1,500, 832cs burners and control long at1,500, 360pcs aluminum camping burners long at N4,000, 986pcs comping long at 3,000, 250pcs comping regulator short at 3,100, 200pcs STD regulator at 30,900 and other items valued One hundred and seventy-four million, eight
hundred thousand Naira (N174,800,000.00), property of one Ejimofor Stephen ‘m’ which you have a reason to believe the same to be stolen property and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 328(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2025.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Supol Phillip Ademigbuji, 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. O. Kusanu, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.