MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 40-year old man, Areoye Taiwo, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing oxygen gas cylinder for treatment of patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 15th July, 2025, at the Intensive Care Unit at LASUTH.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the place, stole the item and tried to escape before the security men at the hospital accosted him with the item for interrogation.
While being interrogated, the security men discovered that the suspect had stolen the item, which was meant for the treatment of patients on emergency at the hospital.
The security men then handed him over to the Police at Ikeja Division for further investigation over his alleged conduct.
The Police found him culpable after thorough interrogation and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charge read:
“That you, Areoye Taiwo ‘m’, on the 15th day of July, 2025 at about 0839hrs at LASUTH, Ikeja Lagos, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did steal oxygen gas cylinder valued N350,000.00 (three hundred and fifty thousand Naira only), property of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Philip Ademigbuji, 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, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, 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.