KINGSLEY EBERE
A 19-year old, Sofianu Umaru, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a ram inside the Abattoir Market before he was caught by the owner, Shewu Ali.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 7th May, 2025, at the Abattoir Market located in the Agege area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the market and pretended to have wanted to buy the ram while other customers there wanted to buy from the owner.
The suspect allegedly took the ram away and tried to escape before the owner discovered. He went after the suspect, eventually apprehended him and recovered the ram.
The matter was reported to the Police at Abattoir Division. The suspect was arrested and detained 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.
The charge read:
“That you, Sofianu Umaru ‘M’ on the 7th day of May, 2025 at about 2000hrs at Abattior Market, Agege, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did steal a ram valued (N300,000) Three Hundred Thousand Naira only, property of one Shewu Ali ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 287 (4) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, DSP Benson Emerhi, 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 Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu granted him bail with a surety, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while address will be verified by the Court.
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.