CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ejigbo has arraigned a 33-year-old man, Safiyanu Nasiru, over allegations of conspiracy to commit felony and dishonestly receiving stolen property in Ikeja.
The defendant was arraigned on July 8 before the Lagos Magisterial District on a two-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge marked ME25, the incident was alleged to have occurred on June 11, 2024 at No. 11 Berry Street, Opebi, Ikeja in the Lagos Magisterial District.
The prosecution stated that Safiyanu Nasiru and others now at large were alleged to have conspired to commit felony to wit stealing.
It was alleged in the first count that the defendant conspired with others to commit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In the second count, the defendant was alleged to have dishonestly received stolen fabricated aluminum windows with glasses and iron rods.
The prosecution alleged that the items were valued at Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,500,000.00) only. Other items listed included tokens valued at Twenty Six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N26,500.00) only.
The charge stated that the defendant allegedly received the items knowing fully that they were stolen property. The alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
During proceedings, the plea of Safiyanu Nasiru was taken and recorded by the court. The defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
The prosecutor, SP Benedict Aigbokhan, appeared for the Police. Legal representation was also announced for the defence. IPO ASP Abdulmalik Yusuf of Shasha Division was listed as the Investigating Police Officer.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted the defendant bail in the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are to show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The court adjourned the case to August 4, 2016 for further hearing. Legal experts say the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.