Sexagenarian Docked For Stealing, Damaging Property

A 61-year-old man, Japhet Chukwunyelu, has appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in  Lagos over alleged damage and theft of  property, worth N14.4 million.
Chukwunyelu, whose address was not given, is facing trial on charges of conspiracy, stealing and unlawful damage.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Emby Ingobo, told the court that Chukwunyelu committed the offences with some others still at large in December 2018 at Festac Town, Lagos.
Ingobo said the defendant stole property, including, 85 pieces of fence slaps, worth N595, 000, forty pieces of pillars worth N320, 000 and13 pieces of different types of engine boxes worth N13 million.
He said that Chukwunyelu also damaged a shop, worth N500, 000 belonging to the complainant, Mr Moses Olaiya.
“The defendant unlawfully damaged the shop and stole all the items inside it,” the prosecutor said.
Ingobo said the offences contravened Sections 287, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law stipulates three years jail term for stealing, while Section 411 provides two years for conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mrs F. F. George, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
George ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and that one of the sureties should be a blood relation to the defendant.
She adjourned the case until October 7 for mention.