KINGSLEY EBERE
A 21-year old man, Ekawo Stephen a.k.a Chinko, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly burgling a top fashion store and carting away clothes worth N5m belonging to Alade Ayomide.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between 30th and 31st March, 2025, at the top Fashion store located at Santana Bus Stop, Shibiri area of Ojo, Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect and others now at large invaded the place, burgled it, carted away the items and escaped.
The complainant came to the place in the morning and discovered what happened. He went to the Police Tactical Team at Area K Command and reported the matter. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Ekawo Stephen ‘m’ and others now at large between 2200hrs of 30th March 2025 and 0600hrs of 31 March 2025 at Top-Fashion Store, Santana Bus-Stop, Shibiri, Ojo area of Lagos in Lagos Magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit burglary and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II: “That you, Ekawo Stephen ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did burgle and entered Top Fashion Store with intent to commit felony and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 309 of Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Ekawo Stephen ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal 100 pieces of customized Top Fashion clothes valued N5,000,000.00 (Five Millions Naira Only) property of one Alade Ayomide ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 (5) (f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, 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 in the sum of N500,000 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.
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.