MICHAEL AKINOLA
When the management of Value City Department Store in Lekki area of Lagos employed their Chief Security Officer, Obikayo Obitayo Abiodun and his colleague, Emmanuel James Onorjar, they never knew that they had actually employed suspected criminals.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 35-year old Abiodun and Onorjar, 35 allegedly conspired at night, broke the entrance and carted away items inside the department store worth N28m without the consent of the management.
The incident happened between 31st December, 2024, and January 9, 2025, when the duo reportedly gained unauthorized access to the premises at night and made away with high-value items owned by the business proprietor, Mr. Ilechukwu Okereke.
The alleged theft got exposed when the owner, Mr. Okereke, discovered the missing items and promptly filed a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, for investigation.
Thus, an investigative team was deployed and successfully tracked down the suspects through intelligence gathering and digital surveillance. They were then detained at the Command headquarters for investigation.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police led by the investigation officer, Inspector Awe Friday, found them culpable and charged them to Court on four counts of conspiracy, unlawful entry, and theft, offences contrary to Sections 411, 309(1)(2), and Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2025.
During proceedings, the prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Haruna, informed the court that the suspects allegedly used their positions and knowledge of the premises to facilitate the burglary and removal of merchandise worth N28,191,000, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, the security guards pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, A.O. Alogba, granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
They were remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions while the matter was adjourned until 23rd May, 2025, for mention.