Four Persons Docked In Lagos Court Over Alleged Stealing Of 33 iPhones Valued At N12m

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned four persons, Precious Ibeh, 20, Taiwo Fatai, 25, Emmanuel Nwake, 27, and Balogun Timilehin, 24, before the Magistrate Court sitting at Ejigbo over alleged conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, stealing and unlawful receiving of stolen property.

The defendants were arraigned in Charge No: 2010 between the Commissioner of Police versus Precious Ibeh, Taiwo Fatai, Emmanuel Nwake and Balogun Timilehin.

The case came up before Magistrate Miss F.R. Ogunkoyode.

The Prosecutor, ASP Simon Njue, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on 10th September, 2026 at about 18:10hrs at BFT, Ikotun Roundabout, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.

According to the charge sheet prepared by the Police under the supervision of CSP Sadiku Afolabi Ibrahim and filed by IPO Inspector Nkechi Alizor of Ikotun Police Station, the first defendant was alleged to have conducted herself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

Count one stated that Precious Ibeh on the said date, time and place did conduct herself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by giving her personal account number and her younger brother’s account number to customers to transfer money instead of the company’s account number, contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Count two alleged that Precious Ibeh on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did steal 33 iPhones valued at Twelve Million, Fifteen Thousand Naira (N12,015,000), property of one Valentine Igbonekwu, contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Count three alleged that Taiwo Fatai, Balogun Timilehin and Emmanuel Nwake and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did unlawfully receive iPhones valued at the sum of Twelve Million, Fifteen Thousand Naira (N12,015,000) from one Precious Ibeh, property of one Valentine Igbonekwu, contrary to and punishable under Section 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The charge sheet showed LCCS numbers and that the defendants were apprehended following a complaint by the nominal complainant, Valentine Igbonekwu, who alleged that his goods were diverted and monies were paid into private accounts.

After the charge was read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP Simon Njue, informed the court that investigation is still ongoing and requested a date for hearing to enable the Police prove the allegations.

The court noted the plea of not guilty and considered bail application.

In her ruling, Magistrate Miss F.R. Ogunkoyode ordered that the defendants be remanded pending bail consideration and compliance with bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned for hearing.

The Police said the case file is being handled by the Ikotun Division and the defendants will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

However, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court of competent jurisdiction.