24th October, 2012
The police at the Bar Beach Division, Victoria Island, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have arrested and arraigned a suspected thief, Yohana Jonah Mamah, 22, on a two-count charge of breaking and entering the apartment of another police officer to steal N13,000.
The police prosecutor alleged in the suit number R/45/2012 that the accused was arrested following a complaint by Jemilu Alli that the accused, on 13 October, 2012 at about 12 a.m. went through a window to apartment at Block 2, Flat 1, SPO’s quarters, Bar Beach Police Barracks to steal his N13,000.
During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the crime and refunded only N3,000 out of the stolen money.
The offence, the prosecutor, Coporal Ajayi Emmanuel, claimed, contravenes sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
One of the charges reads: “that you, Yohana Jonah Mamah and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal the sum of N13,000, property of Jemilu Alli.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the magistrate, Mrs. A.A. Famobiwo granted him bail in the sum of N10,000 with two sureties who must show proof of tax payment to the Lagos State government.
She also directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relation and adjourned the matter till 2 November, 2012 for mention.
The defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison when he could not perfect the bail conditions in good time.
—Paul Iyoghojie