Man, 27, Arraigned Over N.2m Shoes

The police in Lagos yesterday arraigned one Charles Nwachukwu, 27, accused of stealing 275 pairs of shoes valued at N272,500. Nwachukwu is standing trial before a Surulere Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of stealing and assault. Police prosecutor, Insp. Olaide Sunday, told the court that the accused sometime in July 2009 broke into a shop at No. 27, Sabiu Ajose St., Surulere, and stole the shoes. Sunday explained that the accused was a cousin to Mr Emmanuel Onwubuariri, the owner of the shop, whose wares were imported from Ireland. The prosecutor said that when Onwubuariri discovered the theft, he went to Nwachukwu’s home, having suspected him of committing the offence. Sunday said that during the encounter, the accused assaulted his cousin, giving him a bite on the breast. Our correspondent reports that while Nwachukwu pleaded guilty to the charge of assault, he denied stealing the shoes. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Abiola Soladoye, while ruling on the charge of assault ordered the accused to pay the hospital bill of the complainant. She also granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till April 9 for further hearing.