There was drama at the Ikeja Magistrate Court on Monday as a 48-year-old man, John Chijioke, was arraigned for allegedly stealing three bottles of Sunola cooking oil inside the Police College Cooperative Supermarket in Ikeja, Lagos.
The irony of the theft did not go unnoticed in court as lawyers, litigants and court officials whispered in disbelief that someone could attempt to steal inside a facility guarded by Police officers.
According to the charge sheet marked CHARGE NO. MIK/12026 obtained by P.M.EXPRESS, the incident occurred on June 13, 2026 at about 8:00am. Prosecution said Chijioke sneaked into the Police Cooperative Supermarket located within the Police College and picked three 3-liter bottles of Sunola Soya Oil valued at ₦34,000. He allegedly hid the items and attempted to walk out without paying, banking on the morning rush for cover.
But storekeepers monitoring the aisles raised the alarm. Police operatives stationed within the college immediately arrested him and recovered the three bottles intact. Following his arrest, Chijioke was taken to Ikeja Police Division where investigation commenced. The case file was handled by Inspector Blessing Odauda under the supervision of CSP Akinwunmi Oke.
The suspect was later arraigned before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi on two counts of theft contrary to Sections 280 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that investigation had been concluded and requested a date for hearing.
Chijioke pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Owolabi granted him bail with one surety who must provide evidence of means of livelihood. However, he was remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending when he perfects his bail conditions. The case was adjourned for hearing.
The three bottles of Sunola oil have been kept as exhibits by the Police and will be tendered in court during trial. Legal experts say the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.