A 19-year-old welder, Gbenga Akinleye, was on Tuesday brought before an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a cell phone worth N15,000.
Akinleye of Jesu Oyingbo Street, Mile 12, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the accused stole the phone from the complainant, James Peter, on Jan. 20 at Under Bridge, Mile 12.
Ihiehie said that the complainant reported the theft at Alapere Police Station on the same date.
He told court that Peter was coming from Ojota at about 1:15pm with two of his friends when they were attacked by the accused and his accomplices.
He said that the complainant and his friends were able to apprehend the accused, who stole a Tecno phone valued at N15, 000 and N5, 000 cash from them.
“Three boys who were with the accused managed to escape with a Gionee phone, whose value is yet unknown, belonging to one of the complainant’s friends,’’ he said.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years’ jail term for conspiracy.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeyinje, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties.
She, however, said that one of sureties must be the father or mother of the accused.
She later adjourned the case until March 4 for hearing.
