Man, 39, Docked For Stealing N7.7m Ford Car Given To Him For Repairs

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 39-year old man, Anayo Unigwe, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a N7.7m worth Ford car, which was given to him for repairs by the owner, Ikpo Nnamdi, at Alaba International Market, Ojo area of Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect was given the car and paid N1.4m at the Fancy and Furniture section of Alaba market to fix on 23rd December, 2023 and he bolted away with both the money and the car.

He also disconnected every communication he had with the owner since then and the matter was reported to the Police at Ojo Division. Police operatives trailed, eventually arrested and detained him at the station for interrogation.

During interrogation, he admitted to have collected the car and the money, which he claimed to have sold and used the money to solve his personal problems.

The Police found him culpable after rounds of interrogation and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, Anayo Unigwe “M” on the 23rd day of December, 2023, about 16:00hrs at Fancy & Furniture section of Alaba international Market, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did obtain Seven Million Seven Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, 7,735,000 Ford Car and cash sum of One million Four Hundred Thousand Naira only, #1,400,000 total Nine Million One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand Naira only, under the pretence to fix the car, a representation you know to be false, Property of one Ikpo Nnamdi and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 314(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II:”That you, Anayo Unigwe, on same date time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal a Ford car colour blue valued at Seven Million Seven Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand Naira) only N7,735,000 and cash sum of (One million Four Hundred Thousand Naira) only, #1,400,000 total (Nine Million One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand Naira) only property of one Ikpo Nnamdi and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Uche Simeon, 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.K.J Layeni, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.