Man, 27, Arraigned For Allegedly Stealing Two Goats To Sell To Restaurants In Ayobo

The defendant was brought before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi on a one-count charge of stealing, contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the alleged offence was committed at Moshalashi Street, Kande, Ayobo, Lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial District.

The charge sheet, filed by SP Ajeigbe Yemisi, Police Officer, reads: “That you MICHEAL LATEEF ‘M’ on the 5th day of September, 2026 at about 1100hrs at Moshalashi Street, Kande Ayobo, Lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial District did steal two (2) goats value Three Hundred Thousand naira (N300,000.00) only, properties of One Isiaka Olowu and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

According to Police investigation, the goats belong to one Isiaka Olowu who had tied them behind his house at Moshalashi Street. The complainant raised alarm when he returned and discovered that the goats were missing.

Sources at the Command Tactical Squad said operatives led by Inspector Aworemi Olumide, tracked the suspect to a restaurant in Kande, where he was allegedly negotiating to sell the two goats to client for pepper soup and asun.

Pepper soup business is very lucrative in Ayobo and environs, where a plate of goat meat pepper soup sells for between N3,500 and N5,000. Police believe the suspect allegedly stole the goats to cash in on the high demand from restaurants.

He was arrested and the goats, valued at N300,000, were recovered as exhibits.

When the charge was read in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the court for a date for trial and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending trial.

In his ruling, Magistrate L.A. Owolabi granted the defendant bail with a surety who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.

The magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.

He adjourned the case to a later date for mention.

Residents of Ayobo have lamented the increasing rate of goat theft in the area, alleging that stolen goats are usually sold to local restaurants for pepper soup without the knowledge of customers.

One resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said, “We can no longer tie goats outside. They will steal them and sell to those pepper soup women at night.”

Police have advised livestock owners in Kande, Ayobo, Ipaja and Egbeda to secure their animals and report any suspicious movement around them to the Police.

Meanwhile, the two goats are currently in Police custody as exhibits.

The court will determine whether Micheal Lateef actually stole the goats to sell to restaurants for pepper soup business as alleged by the Police.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court. The allegation that he stole the goats to sell to restaurants is yet to be proven.