By Funmilola Gboteku
Lagos – Three men and a teenager, who allegedly broke into two shops at midnight, stealing clothes and shoes worth N1.2 million, were on Monday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court.
The defendants — Emmanuel Uchechukwu, 19; Sarafa Idris, 55; Joseph Suru, 50, and Adisan Fatai, 58 — all residents of the Ajegunle area of Lagos, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and burglary.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Friday Inedu, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on March 12 at Agboju Market, Festac Town, Lagos.
He alleged that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to break into the shops of Victor Osude and Thomas Chidera at 2:20 a.m. to steals goods worth N1.2 million.
“The defendants, who used a sharp object to gain access into the shops, were caught by some security men who saw them loading the goods inside a van,’’ he said.
Inedu said that the defendants were caught while their accomplices escaped with some of the goods.
He said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 287, 307 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 307 stipulates seven years imprisonment for burglary.
The Magistrate, Mr T.O Babalola admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N150,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned further hearing in the case until April 12.