MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 22-year old man, David Awobor, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing packs of soap at Smartmart Supermarket.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 10th September, 2025, at No. 3/5, Ijaye Road, Ogba Lagos, where the supermarket is located.
According to the Police, the suspect and others now at large conspired, stole the items and escaped without the knowledge of the management.
However, the management later discovered that the items were missing and reported to the Police at Area G Command. Thus the suspect was arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I:-“That you, David Awobor ‘m’, and others still large on the 10th of September, 2025 at about 0930hrs at Smartmart Supermarket No. 3/5, Ijaye Road, Ogba, Lagos in the ikeja magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT 11: That you, David Awobor ‘M’, and others still at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal 6 six packs of Dettol 160g soap and dettol 110g soap, total valued three hundred thousand Naira only, properties of Smartmart Supermarket and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice since the defendant pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A Owolabi, 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.