KINGSLEY EBERE
A 20-year old man, Paul Ajayi, has been arrested and charged for allegedly burgling the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation premises and carting away cables worth N3m.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 20th April, 2025 and 21st April, 2025 at about 15:00hrs at Cassava Processing Company in Ilashe Town, Lagos, owned by the Ministry.
According to the Police, the suspect had on two different days, maliciously damaged one entrance door and cables junction boxes valued the amount in question.
However, the matter was reported to the Police in the area. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT. I:- “That you, PAUL AJAYI ‘M’ on the 20/04/2025 and on the 21/04/2025 at about 15:00hrs at Cassava Processing Company in Ilashe Town, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did commit felony to Wit-stealing by vandalising cables valued Three Million Naira Only (N3,000,000.00) property of Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 280 (1) (A & B) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT. II:-“That you, PAUL AJAYI ‘M’ on the same date, place and time in the aforementioned Magisterial District, maliciously damaged one entrance door and cables junction boxes valued Three Million Naira Only (N3,000,000) property of Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 339 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT. III:-“That you, PAUL AJAYI ‘M’ on the same date place and time in the aforementioned Magisterial District, broke and entered into the premises of Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to steal and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, 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.M. Ogun, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.