Man, 27, docked over alleged certificate damage

A 27-year-old man, Paul Umar, who allegedly damaged a West African School Certificate and stole property worth N250, 000, was on Friday docked at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Umar, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of unlawful damage and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the defendant committed the offences at No. 7, Apostolic Church, Olarunda in Ketu, Lagos, on Feb. 22.

Ihiehie said that the defendant damaged the certificate and some other vital documents belonging to one Mr Sani Samuel.

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The prosecutor also alleged that Umar stole a digital camera worth N 250,000 as well as N60, 000 from Samuel.

“The defendant illegally entered the complainant’s apartment to steal his camera.

“When the complainant refused to hand over the camera to the defendant, Umar deliberately destroyed the defendant’s certificate to punish him.

“The complainant reported the incident to the police, and the defendant was apprehended,’’ the prosecutor said.

He added that two mobile phones were found in the defendants’ possession and he could not give a satisfactory account of their ownership.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 285 and 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
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Kubeinje ordered that one of the sureties must be the defendant’s blood relation, adding that the sureties should possess evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case till April 9 for a mention.