Two men, Chima Junior, 25, and Chiemerie Ikenna, 18, were on Wednesday arraigned before the Ojo Magisterial District in Lagos over alleged conspiracy and stealing of phone accessories valued at N70 million at Alaba International Market.
The defendants were arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. L.K.J. Layeni on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.
The charge was filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet marked MI/1/158/06, the prosecutor, SP Uche Simon, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on or about 12:00hrs at FFAA Alaba, Alaba area of Lagos State, within the Ojo Magisterial District.
The first count alleged that the two defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit stealing, an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The second count alleged that Chima Junior stole various phone accessories belonging to SKYHOST LIMITED, represented by one Akpuenike Chukwunonso.
The items listed in the charge sheet include 10 cartons of headset valued at N20,000,000, 20 cartons of charger cable valued at N15,000,000, five cartons of power bank valued at N10,000,000, 30 cartons of charger head valued at N13,000,000 and 20 cartons of Bluetooth devices valued at N12,000,000.
The total value of the alleged stolen items was put at N70,000,000 (Seventy Million Naira). The offence was said to be punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The third count alleged that Chiemerie Ikenna received the said items alleged to have been stolen, an offence punishable under Section 328(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The defendants however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when the charges were read to them in court.
Following their not guilty plea, the prosecutor, SP Uche Simon, asked the court for a date for trial and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending trial.
Counsel to the defendants applied for bail on behalf of his clients, assuring the court that the defendants would not jump bail and would be available for trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. L.K.J. Layeni granted the defendants bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
She ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The case was adjourned for mention.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.