Panel beater remanded for alleged armed robbery

AN Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded a 26-year-old panel beater, Ahmed Lawal in prison for allegedly robbing two men of their cars valued at N6.3 million at gunpoint.

The Magistrate, Miss A.O. Akinde, remanded the defendant in Kirikiri Prisons, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Lawal, who resides at Alare area of Owode, Idiroko in Ogun State, is facing a four-count-charge bordering on conspiracy and robbery.

His plea was not taken.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Chekwube Okeh told the court that the defendant committed the offences with others still at large on Sept 16, 2018, at 10.15 p.m. at Sabo Market, Okokomaiko, Lagos.

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Okeh said the defendant armed himself with a triple barrel locally-made gun and robbed the complainants, Messrs Albanusa Onuoha and Ifeanyi Chukwu of their cars.

She said the defendant at different times deliberately hit a Toyota Highlander worth N4.5 million and a Toyota Sienna worth N1.8 million with a stolen commercial minibus.

“When the complainants got down from their cars to check the extent of damage, the defendant and his accomplices, attacked them and snatched their cars at gunpoint.

“The defendant was arrested by policemen on patrol while his accomplices escaped,” the prosecutor said.

He said the offences contravened Sections 297 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 411 stipulates two years jail term for conspiracy.

The case was adjourned until July 22 for DPP’s advice.