Alaba Market Trader Arraigned For Stealing N4.5m Worth Of Phone Screen Inside Market

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 26-year old trader at Alaba International Market, Anayo Ogechukwu, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing four cartons of phone screen worth over N4.5m belonging to Ume Uzeoke Chindu. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 27th February, 2025, at the market.

According to the Police,  the suspect allegedly went to the place, stole the items and while trying to escape, he was caught by the market security guards and handed over to the Police at Ojo Division.

The suspect was then detained for interrogation. He was found culpable after rounds of interrogation and consequently charged before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read :

“That you, Anayo Ogechukwu ‘M’ on the 27th day of February 2025 at about 1400hrs at Alaba Interntional Market, Ojo, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did steal four cartons of phone screen valued N4,545,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Forty Five Thousand Naira), property of one Ume Uzeoke Chindu ‘M’and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Uche Simeon, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J Layeni, granted him 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 7th May, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.