Man, 27, Arraigned For Allegedly Stealing N8m Toyota Corolla Car

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 27-year old man, John Abednego, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. EKY 713 JD valued N8m belonging to a woman, Evi Omagbemi. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 30th November, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Lekki Garden Phase 7 Road 12 area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect and others at large went to the place where the car was parked, stole it and escaped to an unknown place before the complainant discovered that the car was missing.

The matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police Tactical team of the State Command. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the Command for interrogation over the missing car.

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:

“That you, John Abednego ‘m’ and others now at large on the 30th November, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Lekki Garden Phase 7 Road 12 area of Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

COUNT II: “That you, John Abednego ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal one Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. EKY 713 JD valued Eight million Naira (N8,000,000.00) property of one Evi Omagbemi ‘f’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287(a)(b)(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos Státe, 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, 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. L.A. Owolabi, 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 till 25th February, 2026, 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.