ABEOKUTA – A 23-year-old taxi driver, Tosin Olayinka, was on Monday arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing the belongings of his passenger and a tyre.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale told the court that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 26 and on March 4 at 66 Majekodunmi Street, Iberekodo, Abeokuta.
He said the accused stole the handbag of one Felicia Obasa containing N58,000 when she (Obasa) boarded Olayinka’s taxi on her way to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
Eigbejiale said the accused also stole the front tyre of a taxi owned by one Dauda Fasasi.
He said the tyre cost N8, 000.
The prosecutor said: “the accused is a habitual criminal who disguises as a taxi driver; he is fond of carrying passengers to different destinations after assessing their belongings.
“He will then pretend the taxi was faulty and tell the passengers to alight and push the taxi while their belongings are still in the car.
“Olayinka will then zoom off without waiting for the passenger.
“This has been his mode of his operation; the accused has deprived several innocent passengers of their valuables.”
The prosecutor said Olayinka was caught while removing the front tyre of Fasasi’s taxi when he (Fasasi) came out to urinate at night and raised the alarm.
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He said the offences contravened Sections 390 (2) (4) (c) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused of 7, Akoda Stree, Iberekodo however pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of stealing.
The defence counsel, Mr Oludare Adejare appealed to the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.
He assured the court that his client would not jump bail.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba admitted the accused on bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till April 22 for mention. (NAN)