Unemployed docked over alleged break-in, theft

A 24 -year-old unemployed man, Lukman Olalekan, was on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into an apartment to steal N30,000.

Olalekan, who resides at Agege, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of burglary and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Josephine Ikhayere told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 14 at Oshodi, Lagos.

Ikhayere alleged that the defendant burgled the room of one Mrs Promise Etim and stole N30,000 from her apartment.

“The defendant destroyed the complainant’s door to gain access into her room. He ransacked the room and stole the N30,000 in her bag,’’ she said.

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The prosecutor said that some of the complainant’s neighbours sighted the defendant coming out of the apartment.

“When he was questioned on his mission in the complainant’s apartment, the defendant took to his heels.

“He was pursued and apprehended, while the money he stole from the complainant’s room was recovered from him.

The defendant was then handed over to the police,’’ the prosecutor said.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 287 and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes a three-year term of imprisonment for stealing, while Section 307 provides seven years for burglary.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Ekundayo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ekundayo ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until May 30, for mention.