Man, 68, Remanded In Prison For Buying N4.5m Stolen Items

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 68-year old man, Olawale Lekan, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly buying stolen goods worth over N4.7m from a suspected thief. 

 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between July, 2024 and January, 2025, at Ojikutu Street, Aboru area of Lagos.

 

According to the Police, the suspect had allegedly received 380 bags of bundles of packing bags value at N4,783,493.20 from his accomplice, Paul Iregiegbe, for several months.

 

However, information leaked early January, 2025, after his supplier was caught and he mentioned his involvement. The Police at Oke Odo Division moved into action, arrested and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

 

After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

 

The charge read:

“That you, Olawale Lekan ‘M’ between July 2024 and January 2025 at Ojikutu Street, Aboru, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did dishonestly receive 380 (three hundred and eighty) bundles of packing bags value at N4,783,493.20 (Four Million, Seven Hundred and eighty three thousand, four hundred and ninety-three Naira, twenty kobo) from Paul Iregiegbe ‘M’ knowing the same to be stolen property and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 328 (1) and punishable under Section 328 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”

 

He pleaded not guilty.

 

The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, 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. M.O.Tanimola, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 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 24th April, 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.