Man, 26, Arraigned For Allegedly Stealing N27.3m Electrical Light At Alaba Market

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 26-year old man, Kenneth Onyedika Onuzulike, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing 4,970 pieces of electric wall light worth N27.3m belonging to Nwachukwu Okechukwu Peter at Alaba International market.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between 8th February, 2022 to 19th November, 2024 at Block 37, No:2, Electrical Section, Alaba International Market, Ojo area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect, who was engaged as a sales apprentice by the complainant, was selling the items bit by bit and was diverting the money without rendering account.

However, the whole thing leaked after an internal audit was conducted and it was discovered that such number of the items were missing and the suspect was unable to give an account of the missing items.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ojo Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over the missing items.

After thorough 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 charge read:

“That you, Kenneth Onyedikachi Onuzulike ‘M’, between 8th February 2022 to 19th day of November, 2024 at Block 37, No:2, Electrical Section, Alaba International Market, Ojo, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did steal 4,970 pieces of wall lights each valued N5,500.00 (Five Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) total valued N27,335,000.00 (Twenty Seven Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand Naira), property of one Nwachukwu Okechukwu Peter “M’ and thereby committed an offenge punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws 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 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 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.