26th January, 2012
A 25-year-old security guard, Isa Yusuf, has been charged before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, for allegedly robbing his employer, Mrs. Ayo Ebunola, to the tune of N12 million.
Yusuf, who was remanded in prison custody at Apapa, allegedly arranged with a 14-man gang and invaded the victim’s house in the night at Durbar Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, with charms, machetes and daggers. After the family had gone to bed, Yusuf allegedly brought in the men that robbed them.
P.M.NEWS gathered that Yusuf and his men allegedly stormed the place and charmed the dogs, and they did not bark while the four-hour operation lasted.
The items the robbers carted away include jewellery, wrist watches and currencies in naira and dollar denominations, to the tune of N12 million.
After they reportedly sold the items at Apapa, sharing the proceeds became a problem. One of the robbers, who was not satisfied with the sharing formula, allegedly informed the residents that it was Yusuf that brought his gang to rob Ebunola.
Yusuf was later arrested by the police from FESTAC Division and he confessed to committing the crime. He also named the members of his gang who are all foreigners from neighbouring countries.
When the police tried to trace the whereabouts of his accomplices, they discovered that they had all fled.
When the matter came up in court, the accused pleaded not guilty and the presiding magistrate, Mr. A. K. Ogundare, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 13 February 2012, while the defendant was remanded in prison custody at Apapa, Lagos.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe