CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A Lagos-based woman, Akindeyi Ademide, was arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court in Ogba over alleged conspiracy and theft of property valued at N20.6 million in Valley Estate, Shasha, Lagos.
According to the charge sheet marked 1/201/2026, filed by the Commissioner of Police, the incident allegedly occurred on June 22, 2026 at about 10:00am at Valley Estate, Shasha, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
The prosecution alleged in Count I that Akindeyi Ademide and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing. The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In Count II, the charge stated that on the same date, time and place, the defendant allegedly stole gold jewellery valued at N12,000,000, clothing valued at N6,000,000, cooking utensils valued at N2,000,000, and designer perfumes valued at N600,000. The total value of the alleged stolen items was put at N20,600,000. The property is said to belong to one Mrs. Akpate Utieyione. The second count is contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The matter was prosecuted by SP Josephine Ihkayere of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Ogba. The case was investigated by CSP Ifeanyi Akaezue, O/C CTT, Sparrow Base, Area ‘G’ Onilekere, Lagos State.
Presiding over the matter, the Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi, took the plea of the defendant and granted her bail. The court set bail conditions of two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment.
Following the ruling, the defendant was remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.
Legal experts note that Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015 deals with stealing while Section 411 covers conspiracy. Arraignment is the first stage where charges are formally read to a defendant in court.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for mention and further proceedings. Police authorities urged members of the public with useful information regarding the case to contact the CTT Sparrow Base, Area ‘G’ Command.
The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, in line with Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.