CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 31-year-old man, Abiodun Raji Kazeem, was on Friday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over allegations of conspiracy and theft. The charges relate to two separate incidents in Lagos involving jewellery, mobile phones and cash.
According to the charge sheet marked CHARGE NO.14 1024/8/59/2026, the case was filed by the Commissioner of Police against Kazeem and others said to be at large. The document was signed by SP Banti Adamu of the Command Tactical Squad 1, Ikeja.
In Count I, the defendant was accused of conspiracy to commit felony. The charge stated that on March 31, 2026 at about 0500hrs at Victoria Island, Lagos, Kazeem and others allegedly conspired amongst themselves to commit felony to wit: stealing. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count II relates to the same date, time and place at Victoria Island. The charge alleged that Kazeem and others still at large stole several items. The items listed included a gold chair valued at N1,120,000.00, a gold ring valued at N560,000.00, and a gold pendant valued at N700,000.00.
The charge sheet further alleged that also stolen were an iPhone 17 Pro Max valued at N2,400,000.00 and a cash sum of N400,000.00. The total value of the items listed in this count was put at N5,180,000.00. The property was said to belong to one Alyba Joy Emike.
The prosecution stated that the alleged act in Count II was contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. The complainant in this matter was listed as Alyba Joy Emike.
In a separate count, Count III, the defendant and others still at large were alleged to have committed another theft. The incident was said to have occurred on April 15, 2025 at about 2230hrs at Toll gate, 7UP bus stop, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the charge, the items allegedly stolen on that date were an iPhone 16 Pro Max valued at N1,500,000.00 and a Samsung S21 Ultra phone valued at N870,000.00. The total value of items in this count was put at N2,370,000.00.
The property in Count III was said to belong to one Okwu Prisca. The prosecution also stated that the alleged act is contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge sheet was ASP Robert Obasogie of CTSQ 1. The formation handling the case is the Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned 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.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The case is expected to come up for further mention on a date to be announced by the court.