Security Man Docked For Theft

A security man employed by Techco Crime Security Company to guard Chicken Republic, a fast food outlet, has been charged before the Oshodi Magistrate’s Court, Oshodi, Lagos for alleged theft.

James Ezekiel Udoh, 50, was arrested on 2 March, 2010 in the premises of Chicken Republic along Coker Road, Ilupeju for being unable to give account of what happened to a customer’s Mercedes Benz car whose glass was damaged and N330,000 stolen.

Udoh who was docked on a three- count charge of conspiracy and theft told the court that he wasn’t at his post at the time of the incident.

“I was attending to a customer who occupied a whole lot of space at the car park of the restaurant and it took up to an hour due to some argument. When I got to my duty post, I saw a man who left the car park in a hurry and climbed a bike. I never knew he performed that act until I saw some broken glasses on the floor,” he stated.

He claimed further that an unidentified man came into the car park, broke into the customer’s car and maliciously damaged the door of the Mercedez Benz with registration number BX 655 FXJ and stole N330,000.

The prosecutor, ASP Emmanuel Ajayi, said the offences are punishable under Sections 516, 451,390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M. Ajayi adjourned the case till 1 July, 2011 for continuation of trial.

—Henrietta Ikhile