A 25-year old man, Smith Godwin Anieta, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a Toyota Camry car worth N5m while reparking it for the owner, Desmond Ogbeide, over an obstruction.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Oyedele Street, Liasu Road in Ikotun area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect and other man collected the key from the complainant under the false pretence of reparking the car. Instead of doing so, they drove off.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ikotun Division and the Police moved into action. The operatives eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Smith Godwin “m” and one at large, on 8th January, 2025, at about 1830hrs, at Oyedele Street, Liasu Road, Ikotun, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Smith Godwin Anieta “m” and one at large, on same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal Toyota Camry without Reg No. Valued the sum of Five Million Naira Only belonging to One Desmond Ogbeide “m” by collecting the key to repark it and could not give account of the car and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 168, of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, 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, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted him bail in the sum of N1m 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 till 17th February, 2025, 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.