How Police Busted Dealer For Allegedly Buying N26m Stolen Vehicles From Robbers 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Police operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad, Ikeja Command, have arrested a 22-year old car dealer, Ojo Dolapo, for allegedly buying and receiving stolen vehicles from robbers in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect,  Dolapo, was arrested in Adenowo Street, Itire, Surulere, Lagos and two suspected stolen vehicles worth over N26m were recovered from him, which belonged to owners, Ekene Peter and Kelechi Amadikwa.

According to the Police, the suspect was apprehended following a report of the missing vehicles in question – Lexus RX350 SUV and Lexus RX 330 SUV worth N17m and N9m respectively.

The Police moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for investigation, which yielded results. In course of the investigation, the Police recovered the vehicles as exhibits.

Having been found culpable, the suspect was charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

“That you, Ojo Dolapo ‘m’ and others now at large, on or before day of August, 2024 2024 at about 1630hrs at No. 3. Adenowo Street, Itire, Surulers, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit receiving stolen property and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigena, 2015.”

COUNT II:” That you, Ojo Dolapo ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did dishonestly receive one 2005 model Lexus RX 330 SUV valued at the rate of N9,000,000.00  from one Okechie Chimgozirim ‘m’, property of Ekene Peter ‘m’ knowing fully that the vehicle in question was stolen property thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1) (2) (a) (b) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT III:”That you, Ojo Dolapo ‘m’ and others now at large, sometime in September, 2024 at about 1500hrs, at the same place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did dishonestly receive a 2005 model, Lexus RX330 SUV valued the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira Only) from one Okechie Chimgozirim ‘m’, property of one Chukwudi John ‘m’, knowingfully well that the hicle in question was a stolen property and thereby committed an offence Intrary to and punishable under section 328(1) (2) (a) (b) of the criminal law of gos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT IV: That you, Ojo Dolapo ‘m’ and others now at large, sometime in 2024 at about 1100hrs, at the same place in the aforesaid Magisterial district, dishonestly received a 2005 model, Lexus RX330 SUV valued the of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira Only) from one Okechie  Chimgozirim knowingfully well that the vehicle in question was a stolen and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 328 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT V: That you, Ojo Dolapo ‘m’ and others now at large, sometime in 2024, at about 1000hrs, at the same place in the aforesaid magisterial, did dishonestly receive a 2015 model, Lexus RX350 SUV valued the sum of N17,000,000.00 (Seventeen Million Naira Only) from one Okechie Chimgozirim property of Kelechi Amadikwa ‘m’ knowingfully that the vehicle in question was a stolen property and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 328 of the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.