MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 53-year old man, Jeremiah Egbebe, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a package of goods containing jewelries, hairs and shoes valued at N7,000,000 belonging to a passenger, one Apeh Matthias.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 7th February, 2025, at Jibowu park, Yaba area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the park, pretended to be a passenger, targeted the package containing the items and carted it away.
However, when he tried to escape, he was caught and handed over to the Police. He was detained for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
The Police found him culpable after interrogation and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I :- “That you, Jeremiah Egbebe ‘m’ aged 53 years, on 7th of February, 2025, at about 0200hrs at Jibowu area of Lagos, in Ikeja Lagos Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 168 (I) (d) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”.
COUNT II:- “That you, Jeremiah Egbebe ‘m’ aged 53 years, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal a package of goods containing jewelries, hairs and shoes valued at Seven Million Naira (₩7,000,000), properties of one Apeh Matthias and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 281 (2) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Supol Jossphine Ihkayere, 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.A. Owolabi, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 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 till 16th September, 2025, 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.