By Funmilola Gboteku
Ikeja – A 21-year-old man, Hammed Afolabi, was on Tuesday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing some generator spare parts worth N25,000 from a church premises.
Afolabi, whose address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, break-in and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Ishola Samuel, told the court that the defendant committed the offences with one other still at large, on Nov. 11, 2017 at Church of Lord Aladura, Water Works Road, Ikeja.
Samuel alleged that the accused scaled through the back fence to gain entry into the church premises, where he stole the generator parts, property of Lord Aladura Church.
He said the accused was caught by a member of the church, Mr Gbenga Ogunyemi.
“ Ogunyemi said he heard a noise at the back of the church, so he decided to check. He was shocked to see that the accused had dismantled the generator.
“When the accused and his accomplice saw him coming, they took to their heels with the generator parts.
“ His accomplice escaped with the parts, but the accused was caught and handed over to the police for questioning,’’ he said.
The offences contravened Sections 287, 308 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 307 prescribes seven years imprisonment for burglary, while Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing.
The accused denied committing the offences.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.R. Onilogbo granted the accused bail in the sum of N25, 000, with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until Feb. 6 for mention.