You Knew We Stole It – Sales Boy Tells Woman Who Received N3.5m Stolen Cosmetics 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the first suspect, Abubakar Ta’u, told the Police after his arrest that the second suspect,  Sheyifunmi Kalejaye, actually knew she was buying stolen items as she bought them at cheaper prices from him at BBA, Trade Fair Complex.

Both of them, Sheyifunmi Kalejaye and Abubakar Ta’u were arrested and charged before the Ojo Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal Law of the State.

The first defendant, Ta’u, pleaded guilty and told the Court that they did so while Sheyifunmi, the second defendant, pleaded not guilty and claimed that she did not know that the first defendant stole the items.

The charges read:

“That you, Abubakar Ta’u, Sheyifunmi Kalejaye and others at large, on the 7th day of July, 2025 at about 1200hrs at BBA, Trade fair Complex, Lagos State in the Lagos magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and receiving stolen goods and thereby committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under section 411 of Lagos State Criminal law, 2015.”

COUNT II:-“That you, Abubakar Ta’u, Sheyifunmi Kalejaye and others at large,

former sales boy of One Uchechukwu Joseph ‘m’ and one other at large, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, between the Month of February, 2025 and 7th day of July, 2025, did steal 21 Cartons of Various Cosmetics products i.e Skin by Zaron lotion and Moroccan Argan Shower Bath which valued N3,500,000.00 (Three Million, Five hundred thousand Naira), property of one Uchechukwu Joseph ‘m’ thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287(7) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.”

COUNT III:”That you, Sheyifunmi Kalejaye and others at large,on the same date time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did dishonestly receive 21 Cartons of Various Cosmetics products from One Abubakar Ta’u and others at large, knowing fully they have been stolen and thereby committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under Section 328 of the Lagos State Criminal Law. 2015.”

The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, prrsented the facts of the matter and asked the Court to sentence him accordingly to serve as deterrent to others who might want to commit similar crimes in future.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M. Ogun, found the first defendant, Ta’u guilty and sentenced him to one year imprisonment each for the two count charge without an option of fine.

While the Court granted the second defendant bail with two 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 hearing while the second defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.