3 Suspects Arrested For Stealing & Receiving Stolen Goods Worth N10m

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Three suspects, Sodiq Olayinka, 32, Larry Olatuberu, 30 and Ezema Francis, 27, have been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing and receiving stolen goods worth N10m at Balogun Market. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects, Olayinka and Olatuberu, allegedly went to Balogun Market at Masalashi Alhaja Bus Stop in Agege, on 6th July, 2024, burgled the shop belonging to Nneka Moses and carted away assorted drinks.

It was gathered that after stealing the items, they took them to Ipodo Market in Ikeja, sold to Francis at give away prices and went away.

Some of the assorted drinks stolen including, cartons of Seaman dry gin, Chelsea dry gin, Action bitters, Origin bitters, Blackwood and others worth the said amount in question which they sold to Francis.

However, after the owner, Nneka Moses, reported to the Police through a petition to the Police at Area G Command, Ogba, Lagos, the operatives moved into action, eventually arrested Olayinka and Olatuberu and detained them for interrogation over the missing items.

During interrogation, they reportedly confessed and mentioned Francis as the buyer of the stolen items. Francis was also arrested and detained at the Command while some of the items were recovered as exhibits.

They were consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.

They pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, 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. Ex. Kubenije, granted them bail in the sum of N400,000 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 20th August, 2024, 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.