Unemployed in court over alleged theft of N55,000 phone

A 25-year-old unemployed man, Sulaimon Oladimeji, was on Friday docked before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos  State, over alleged theft of a mobile phone worth N55, 000.

Oladimeji, who has no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the defendant stole Infinix Hot 6 Pro belonging to one Dr Chibuzor Morah on April 13 at Car Wash, Sabo Ram Market, Ifako in Gbagada area of Lagos.

Ihiehie said that Morah reported the theft at the Gbagada Police Station on the same day.

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He told the court that Morah was in a bus at about 02:30 p.m. at Ifako when the defendant snatched the Infinix Hot 6 Pro from him through the window of the bus and ran away.

He said that some passersby pursued the defendant until he was caught but he had allegedly passed the phone to one of his cohorts.

The prosecutor noted that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years’ jail term for conspiracy.

The Magistrate, Mrs Bukola Mogaji, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N15, 000 with a surety who must be his parent.

Mogaji adjourned the case until May 13 for hearing.