16th April, 2013
A 30-year old man, Ebi Robert Abariko, on Monday, wept bitterly at Ijeshatedo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, as he begged the magistrate to spare him the agony of going back to prison because he was recently released from custody on bail.
He also told the court that his wife had just been delivered of a baby girl and if he was confined in prison custody, his wife and the new baby would go hungry.
Abariko was allegedly caught in a roof of a shop where he went and stole pampers, provision, cosmetics and perfumes valued at N220,000 belonging to Mrs Santes Bob who owns the shop.
His plea was ignored by the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Gbajumo who granted him bail and remanded him in custody pending when he will fulfil his bail conditions.
The Delta State-born suspect was released last month on bail from prison custody at Kirikiri and he went back and committed a similar offence.
The father of two kids was caught inside the roof of a shop at 224, Ijesha road, Ijeshatedo, Lagos where he allegedly went to steal.
He was almost lynched by a mob after he was caught the second time.
Abariko had earlier burgled a shop at 142 of the same street within the vicinity belonging to Mrs Mariam Salami, over which he was still facing trial at the same court.
When he was arraigned in court, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Kunle Shonibare informed the court that Abariko was facing similar trial in the court.
The courted admitted him on bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 24 April.
While he was being taken to the prison, he told P.M.NEWS that he was a security guard and he is paid N15,000 a month which he said was not enough to take care of his family.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe