MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 36-year old man, Emmanuel Wilson, has told Court that he is a thief but he has since returned what he stole to their owners after he was caught in the act in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Wilson stated this at the Ejigbo Magistrates Court, where he was arraigned for stealing an iPhone and perfume belonging to Loveth Ochumba and Innocent Njoku respectively.
The defendant was caught in Akowonjo area of Lagos after he used a master key, entered the apartment of the complainants and stole the items.
However, he was unlucky. While he was escaping, he was caught and he returned what he stole to their owners.
The matter was reported to the Police at Shasha Division and he was arrested and detained for interrogation on how he gained entrance to the victims apartments.
During interrogation, he revealed that he had a master key, which enabled him to gain entrance into the apartment, where he wanted to steal.
The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Court for stealing.
He pleaded guilty.
He told the Court that he actually stole the items but had returned them when he was caught in the act, yet he was arrested and brought to the Court.
The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, asked the Court to give a short adjournment since he pleaded guilty to enable the Police to present the facts of the matter so that he will be sentenced accordingly.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. K.A. Ariyo, ordered his remand in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when the prosecutor will present the facts so that he will be sentenced accordingly.
The matter was adjourned till 24th March, 2023, for facts and sentence.