By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja – A 19-year-old unemployed man, Ademola Oguntade, was on Friday in Lagos brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into an apartment to steal valuables worth N168,000.
Oguntade, a resident of Mushin in Lagos state , however, pleaded innocence to the three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing preferred against him.
The prosecutor, Insp. Aondohemba Koti, said that the defendant committed the offences on June 14, in Mushin area along the Agege Motor Road.
He said that the defendant and one other person still at large conspired to break and enter into the house of Mr Sylver Akgbazo, to steal his property valued at N168,000.
“After the complainant had left for work, the defendant gained access into his apartment through the ceiling, and stole a 55-inch plasma television set, a pair of shoes, a Huawei android phone, and an MP player, all valued at N168,000.
“The defendant was apprehended by neighbours when he was taking those items out of the compound, but his accomplice escaped.
“The stolen items were recovered, from the defendant and was handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.
Koti said the offences contravened Sections 287, 307 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 carries three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 307 attracts seven years for breaking into another person’s residence.
The magistrate, Mrs M.O. Tanimola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties, as part of the bail conditions.
She said that the sureties should be gainfully employed, and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG).
Tanimola adjourned the case until July 29, for mention