CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered the remand of two men in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over their alleged involvement in the theft of lithium batteries, air conditioners, and deep freezers valued at N77.3 million from a company at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
The defendants, Douglas Titus, 33, and Idris Suleiman, 50, were arraigned before Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, obtaining by false pretenses, and receiving stolen property.
They are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the defendants and others still at large committed the offences between May 15, 2026 and June 5, 2026 at Bona Electronics Company, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
According to Ihkayere, Count One bordered on conspiracy. She alleged that on May 15, 2026 at about 3:00pm at Lekki Free Trade Zone, the defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing and receiving stolen property.
The offence, she said, was contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count Two, the prosecutor alleged that Douglas Titus and others still at large, on May 15, May 22, and June 5, 2026, at different times, stole lithium batteries, air conditioners, and deep freezers valued at Seventy-seven million, three hundred and forty thousand naira, N77,340,000.00.
The property, the court heard, belonged to Bona Electronics Company, Lekki Free Trade Zone, represented by the Managing Director, Mr. Liu Gno-Qing.
Ihkayere said the act contravened Section 280 and is punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count Three, the prosecutor alleged that the same defendant obtained the said items valued at N77,340,000.00 under false pretenses, knowing same to be false. She said the offence was contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 314(1)(a)(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count Four, SP Ihkayere told the court that Idris Suleiman and others now at large, on different dates and times at Durumi area of Abuja, allegedly received 41 pieces of lithium batteries, five pieces of deep freezers and five pieces of air conditioners valued at N77,340,000.00 from Douglas Titus.
The prosecutor alleged that Suleiman received the items knowing they were stolen property of Bona Electronics Company. The offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
When the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
In his ruling, Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi granted the defendants bail with two sureties. The magistrate ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
However, because the bail conditions could not be met immediately, the magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
The court adjourned the matter for mention to a later date to await the DPP’s advice. SP Ihkayere told the court that investigations are ongoing and that the Police would be calling witnesses during trial.
The complainant in the matter is Mr. Liu Gno-Qing, Managing Director of Bona Electronics Company. Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects said to be at large in connection with the alleged theft.