MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 28-year old man, Chinonso Ochu, has been arrested for allegedly invading a popular hotel in Lagos and stealing gold necklace worth N6m belonging to a lodger, Kenneth Okafor before escaping.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Formular Two Hotel in Olodi, Apapa area of Lagos, where the victim, Mr. Okafor, lodged.
According to Police sources, the victim, Mr. Okafor, lodged in the hotel for a business trip with the item and he was targeted by Ochu, who arranged with other accomplices, stole the item from the hotel room and escaped.
The Police however, did not disclose how he managed to gain entrance into the hotel room, where the victim lodged before the item was stolen but he was said to have stolen the item and bolted away.
The matter was reported to the Police team at SCID Yaba, Lagos, who moved into action and eventually tracked Ochu to his hideout and detained him for interrogation over the conduct.
During interrogation, the Police discovered that he actually conspired with others now at large and he was found culpable. He was subsequently charged before the Yaba Magistrates Court for conspiracy and stealing.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Thomas Nurudeen, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty before Court to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr P.E. Nwaka, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and payment of tax.
He was remanded in the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 18th January, 2023, for mention.