3 Alaba Traders Land In Prison Over Alleged Theft Of N16.6m Goods

PAUL IYOGHOJIE

Operatives of the Federal Special Ant-Robbery Squad at Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, have arrested three traders at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria for allegedly breaking and entering a store in the market to steal rolls of wire.

The item  valued at N16.617,000, was property of Ugo Ventures.

Police alleged that following a complaint by the management of Ugo Ventures about the theft to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS that unknown persons had broken into their store to steal the item.

The DCP Ibrahim Kaoje directed a team led by ASP Olabisi Adejumo to track and arrest the fleeing suspects anywhere they could be found.

The suspects, identified as Nnaemeka Ogbodo, 29, Ikechukwu Ude, 33, and Chijioke Eze, 34 were arrested at their shops at the Alaba Market following a tip off.

During investigation according to the police, all the suspects allegedly denied stealing the goods but admitted that they only received the goods from some persons they failed to mention their names.

Police alleged that the suspects led detectives to recover all the goods from where they kept them at their hideout.
The suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a two-count charge of breaking, entry to steal and receiving stolen goods.

Police prosecutor,DSP Charles Odii Esq. said the offences the accused persons committed in charge No C/52/2016 are punishable under sections 409 and 326(1)(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and Chief Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe admitted them on bail in the sum of N5m each with two sureties in like sum.

Komolafe directed that the sureties must deposit the sum of N100,000 each with the court registrar and adjourned the case till 11 September, 2016 for mention.

All the defendants were taken to Ikoyi Prison, Lagos pending when they will fulfill the bail conditions.