CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 37-year-old Computer Village trader, Owolabi Nurudeen, has been arraigned before the Lagos Magistrate Court over alleged conspiracy and stealing of mobile phones valued at N27,107,568.
The defendant, whose address was given as No. 18, Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos State, was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony and stealing.
The prosecution was led by SP Phillip Ademigbuji.
According to the charge marked N6/1997/2026 and filed by the Commissioner of Police, the incident allegedly occurred sometime in the year 2026 at about 9:30am at Lagos Mainland, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
In count one, the Police alleged that the defendant conspired with others still at large to commit felony, to wit stealing.
The prosecution said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which deals with conspiracy.
In count two, the Police alleged that the defendant, alongside others at large, on the same date, time and place, dishonestly stole phones valued at N27,107,568, property of Spectrum Innovation.
The alleged offence was said to be punishable under Section 280 (1) (a) (b) (c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
After the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution informed the court that the case was investigated by Inspector James Adebayo of the Command Special Squad II, and that the file had been vetted by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
Magistrate Kusanu granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The court ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing, with the court is expected to fix a date for trial.
The charge sheet indicated that exhibits were recovered in the course of investigation, although details of the exhibits were not disclosed in court at the time of arraignment.
Computer Village in Ikeja, where the defendant trades, is Nigeria’s largest hub for mobile phones, computers and accessories, and has in recent years witnessed several cases of alleged theft, fraud and receiving of stolen goods.
Police sources say operatives of the Command Special Squad II have intensified efforts to curb phone theft and related crimes in Lagos Mainland and Ikeja areas following complaints from business owners.
Legal practitioners who spoke on the matter said stealing of goods valued above N27 million attracts serious penalties under Lagos criminal law if proven, while conspiracy alone is also punishable.
They however, cautioned that the defendant remains innocent until proven guilty.
Members of the public, particularly traders and business owners, have been advised to keep proper records of their goods, install security measures and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police.
All allegations against the defendant remain unproven. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Efforts to get his reaction were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.