SARS Arrests Car Snatcher, Receiver

Policemen attached to the State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, have arraigned a car snatcher and the receiver before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

The police alleged that the accused, Musa Babatunde Kunle, 29, was arrested on 8 February, 2011 at Owode Onirin, Ketu, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, after he allegedly robbed Adewunmi Shittu Adebowale of his Toyota Highlander SUV with registration number SN 241 AAA, valued at N4.4 million, two Nokia handsets, valued at N103,000 and other items valued at N254,000 while armed with a gun and other dangerous weapons. The total value of the stolen items was estimated at N4,757,000.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime and identified one Kareem Ayinde Hassan, a dismissed officer from the Nigeria Airforce as the buyer.

Other items recovered from the buyer who was arrested at 21, Jata Ojurin, Ifako, Alagbado, Lagos include a military bag, army boot, Airforce overall, NAF personnel identity card No. 22782 for one Bolarinwa with the rank of  a Group Captain.

The accused were charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a six-count charge of armed robbery and stealing, offences punishable under Section 1(2)(a), 1(2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision Act), Cap.398, Vol. 411 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2003 as amended and Sections 519, 110(1)(2), 109(a)(b) and 428 (d) of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate refused to take their plea.

They were ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the Office of Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, on the matter.

The matter has been adjourned till 11 April, 2011.

—Paul Iyoghojie