CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 47-year-old man, Shehu Shittu, has been remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, for allegedly conspiring with others now at large to steal one hundred and ten pieces of different motor tyres and a cash sum of Fifty Million Naira belonging to one Alhaji Rasheed Solola.
Shittu was arraigned before the Lagos Magistrate Court presided over by Mrs. O. Kusanu on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing in Charge No: …/2026, Commissioner of Police Vs Shehu Shittu.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Adegbemuji, told the Court that the alleged offence was committed between the month of September, 2025 and September, 2026 at Adofa Filling Station, Mushin, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant and others who are now at large allegedly conspired amongst themselves to commit felony to wit, stealing.
It was further alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant and others at large did steal one hundred and ten pieces of different motor tyres, value yet unknown, and a cash sum of Fifty Million Naira, property of one Alhaji Rasheed Solola.
The complainant, Alhaji Rasheed Solola, was said to have reported the matter to the Police after discovering that the tyres and cash kept at the filling station were missing.
Following the report, detectives from the Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja, were said to have commenced investigation into the matter.
The investigation was led by Inspector Akekoromowei Emoemi of the Command Tactical Squad 1, Ikeja, and it led to the arrest of the defendant, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the other suspects who are now at large.
The Police said the charge was approved by the Office of the Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, after legal advice.
The defendant was charged on two counts. The first count is conspiracy to commit felony to wit, stealing, contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 411 provides that any person who conspires with another to commit an offence is liable to punishment for conspiracy, and where the offence is a felony, the punishment is as prescribed for the offence.
The second count is stealing contrary to Section 296 and punishable under Section 297 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 296 defines stealing as fraudulently taking anything capable of being stolen, or fraudulently converting to the use of any person anything capable of being stolen, while Section 297 (1) provides the punishment for stealing where the value and circumstances are as prescribed by the Law.
The Police alleged that the defendant fraudulently took the tyres and cash belonging to the complainant and converted them to his own use without the consent of the owner.
When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Magistrate O. Kusanu granted him bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The Magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction.