Cops Docked For Theft Of Rifles

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, has arraigned three policemen before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, for stealing three AK-47 rifles and 90 rounds of live ammunition .

Felix Okwaji, 43, Ogu Romanus, 43 and Sunday Okoh, 28, attached to Isheri Oshun Police Division, were alleged to have committed the crime on 14 December, 2010 at about 11.30 p.m. at Ishashi area of Lagos State.

They were arraigned on a two-count charge of felony and stealing, which are punishable under Section 516 and 390 (5)(9), of the Criminal Code Cap. C17 Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The count one of the charge on charge sheet number D/06/2011, reads: “that you, Felix Okwaji, Ogu Romanus, Sunday Okoh and others now at large, on or about 14 December,2010, at about 23:30 hours, at Ishashi Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

The second charge reads: “that you Felix Okwaji, Ogu Romanus, Sunday Okoh and others now at large, at the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District did steal three AK 47rifles with numbers 14994, 535280 and 525532, with 90 rounds of live ammunition, value not yet ascertained, properties of Nigeria Police Force, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

The three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two count charges when it was read to them.

Mr. P. A. Ojo, the presiding magistrate, admitted them to bail in the sum of N200, 000. each with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate further ordered that the sureties must show evidence of paying tax to Lagos state government for three years, evidence of sustainable livelihood and their addresses must be verified.

The case has been adjourned till 25 March, 2011, for trial.

— Paul Sanusi & Abosede Agboola

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