Man, 43, Arraigned Over Alleged Theft Of Toyota Sienna Valued At N11 Million In Lagos

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

A 43-year-old man, David Ejiro Peter, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in the Ikeja Magisterial District of Lagos State over alleged theft of a vehicle and alleged conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The suspect, Peter, was brought before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu on a three-count charge bordering on alleged stealing, alleged stealing by conversion and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. The charges were filed under Charge No. 2026/49/1148 between the Commissioner of Police and David Ejiro Peter.

The prosecutor, SP Phillip Ademigbuji, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on September 5, 2026, at about 18:52 hours, at No. 3, Winston Aghedo Street, New Oko-Oba, Abule Egba area of Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Ikeja Magisterial District.

According to the charge sheet presented in court, the defendant was accused in Count One of allegedly stealing one unregistered Toyota Sienna 2008 model valued at N11,000,000, property of one Egbon Fortune. The prosecution stated that the alleged act is contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In Count Two, the Police alleged that the defendant, on the same date, time and place, did allegedly steal by conversion the sum of N11,000,000, being the value of the said vehicle, property of the same complainant. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 280 (B) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Count Three alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 168 (D) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The three-count charge was read to the defendant and he pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following his plea, the prosecutor requested a date for trial and asked the court to remand the defendant pending perfection of bail conditions.

In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment. The court ordered that the sureties must be verifiable and must present credible documents for verification by the court registrar.

The Magistrate further ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to a later date for trial. The adjourned date will be communicated to the parties by the court.

The court emphasized that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the Court of competent jurisdiction.

It will be recalled that the case was prepared by Police Officer CSP Kawunda Aliyu, with the Inspector in charge of arraignment listed as AR/No. 373404, Inspector Emmanuel Ehiwarior of New Oko-Oba Division, Lagos.

As at the time of filing this report, the matter is still pending before the court and investigation continues. The prosecution is expected to present its witnesses on the next adjourned date.