Two Fake Naval Officers Land In Kirikiri For Stealing iPhones Worth N820,000 At Iba

The suspects, Timothy Chinemere, 35, and Mark Chijioke Nnanji, 25, were arraigned before Mrs. O. Kusanu at the Lagos Magisterial District on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, impersonation and unlawful possession of military camouflage.

The charge was filed by the Commissioner of Police with Charge No: 12026, MUK/12/39/20, and was prosecuted by SP Phillip Ademigbuji.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants, Timothy Chinemere ‘M’ and Mark Chijioke Nnanji ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 3rd day of August, 2026, at about 11:30hrs, at Dominos Plaza, Iba, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst themselves to commit felony to wit: stealing, impersonation and unlawful possession.

The Police alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendants did steal one iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N420,000) and one iPhone 12 valued at Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000), total valued at Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N820,000), property of one Rose Mary Chioma Nnadi, now Nnamdi.

The offence, according to the Police, is contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, while conspiracy is punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Count three of the charge stated that the defendants, on the same date, time and place, did impersonate as Nigerian Navy officers by wearing Nigerian Navy woodland camouflage complete uniform as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Police said the impersonation offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 77 (a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

Count four stated that the defendants did unlawfully have in their possession Nigerian Navy camouflage uniform, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 79 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

The case was investigated by Inspector Akhidenor Augustine, attached to O/C Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja, following a complaint lodged by Rosemary Chioma Nnamdi.

Exhibits recovered from the defendants included the Nigerian Navy woodland camouflage uniforms they allegedly wore to intimidate their victim at Dominos Plaza, Iba.

When the charge was read to the defendants in court, they pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu subsequently granted them bail with sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.

The court ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Center at Kirikiri town pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The prosecutor, SP Phillip Ademigbuji, opposed bail in the first instance, arguing that the defendants used military uniform to commit crime, which is a serious threat to public safety in Iba and its environs.

The court, however, granted bail in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, noting that they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The matter was adjourned for mention and trial.

Legal experts say impersonation of the Armed Forces under Section 77 is a serious offence in Lagos State, as it exposes members of the public to danger and brings the military to disrepute.

They also warned youths in Iba and other parts of Lagos to desist from using military camouflage to commit crime, as the Police Tactical Squad is on the lookout for such offenders.