23-Year Old Suspected Car Thief Remanded

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A 23-year old man, Tochukwu Ejezie, who was arrested for stealing a red KIA Picanto car at a Catholic Churchat Oke-Ira, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, has been remanded in Kirikiri prison, on the orders of an Ikeja Magistrate’s court.

The accused who was arranged before the court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, was alleged to have stolen one red Pincato car with registration number FW 171 EKY, valued at N1.9 m, property of one Nkiru Ikedum, a resident of 5, Ayo Alabi Street, Oke-Ira, Ogba.

The charges against the accused, according to the prosecutor, Corporal Rosemary Ehimegbe, are punishable under Section 516 and 390 (9), of the criminal code Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Tochukwu pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge when it was read to him.

His plea was not taken by the court presided over by Mrs. T. Akanni who ordered that the accused be remanded at Kirikiri prison, while the case was adjourned till 1 March, 2011.

It will be recalled that Tochukwu was arrested when he was caught with the car  in a traffic,  after he was alleged to have stolen it in front of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Oke-Ira, Ogba.

When he was arrested by the search party set up by the church, he told them that he did not intend to steal the car but to use it to pose with his girl friend. He later told the police that he wanted to sell the car to establish a business for himself.

He also said he has been following the owner of the car to the church and that he took the key when she went for communion.

He was said to have started attending the church three week before he stole the car.

—Florence Okeke

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