18-Year-Old Arraigned Over Alleged Burglary & Theft At Ijaiye Ojokoro LG Chairperson’s Office

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

An 18-year-old, Osanwuta Oruchukwu Israel, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court in Ogba over multiple allegations bordering on conspiracy, burglary, theft and extortion.

The matter was contained in a charge sheet marked DKC41/21/121./2026, Commissioner of Police versus Osanwuta Oruchukwu Israel. The document was sighted by our correspondent.

According to Count I of the charge, the defendant and others now at large allegedly conspired between February 4, 2026 and March 27, 2026 to commit felony. The locations listed were Ijaiye Ojokoro Local Council Development Area and Polaris Bank, Ijaiye Ojokoro branch.

The prosecution alleged that the offences included breaking into a building, stealing, breaking in with intent to commit a felony, and demanding property by written threats. The offence is stated to be contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Count II alleged that on February 4, 2026, at night, the defendant and others allegedly broke and entered the office of the Executive Chairperson, Mrs. Rosiji Oluyemisi Adenike, at Ijaiye Ojokoro LCDA, committed felony therein and broke out. This is contrary to Section 309(1)(2) of the Lagos Criminal Law, 2015.

Count III alleged that on the same date, the defendant and others allegedly stole one Dell laptop valued at N380,000.00, property of the Executive Chairperson. The offence is contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.

Counts IV and V alleged a similar incident on February 11, 2026, involving breaking and entry, and the alleged theft of two Dell laptops valued at N760,000.00.

Counts VI and VII alleged another incident on March 4, 2026, with one laptop valued at N380,000.00 allegedly stolen after entry through the ceiling of the Chairperson’s office.

Count VIII alleged that on March 26, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., the defendant and others allegedly broke and entered Polaris Bank, Ijaiye Ojokoro branch, with intent to commit a felony, contrary to Section 310 of the Lagos Criminal Law, 2015.

Count IX alleged that on March 27, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m., the defendant and others allegedly sent a written demand for N20,000,000.00 to the Administrative Chairperson, with threats to replicate the bank incident. The offence is contrary to Section 302 of the Lagos Criminal Law, 2015.

The case was filed by SP Banti Adamu of the Command Tactical Team, SQ-1, State Headquarters, Ikeja. The Investigating Police Officer listed is ASP Robert Obasogie, 08033924004. The complainant is Mrs. Rosiji Oluyemisi Adenike.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the court for a hearing date to enable the Police to prove the case.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties. The court ordered the sureties to show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment, with addresses to be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention, and the defendant was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of bail.

Under Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, every person charged with an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.