4th April, 2011
A house help who was alleged to have burgled her mistress’ apartment and carted away jewellery valued at N20 million and her alleged partners in crime have been arraigned before an Isheri Magistrate’s Court in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Comfort Itua James, 32, her accomplice, Bassey Ude Ukomi, 35, who lives at 5, Coker Street, Alagbole, Akute, Ogun State and the man that was alleged to have received the stolen jewellery from them, Abdullahi Jubril, 35, of 21, Adesuwa Street, Idi-Araba, Mushin, Lagos, were arraigned before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, burglary, stealing and receiving stolen goods.
The offences are punishable under Section 516, 411, 390 and 421 of the Criminal Code Cap C. 17, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
It was gathered that the house help, who was employed on 20 February, 2011, gained access to her boss’ apartment with a master key four days after she was employed, stole the jewellery and fled to Atete GRA, Edo State, where she and Bassey, who had earlier posed as her brother but was her husband, were arrested.
The house help was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing, while Bassey was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing and the man alleged to have received the stolen jewellery from them was arraigned on one-count charge of receiving the stolen items.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
In granting them bail, Mrs. N. D. Oni, the presiding magistrate, noted that the offences were bailable and therefore granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties, she ordered, however, must be landed property owner within the magisterial district, which original title deed must be verified at the Lands Registry, while the other surety must be blood related to the defendants and also provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government, evidence of means of livelihood and residence within the magisterial district.
The matter has been adjourned till 20 April, 2011 for trial and the defendants later remanded in prison custody as they could not meet the bail conditions.
—Paul Sanusi
