Handset Snatchers Arraigned For Using Sim To Withdraw Money From Victims’ Account

Paul Iyoghojie

Three suspected handset snatchers operating in Orile area of Lagos State have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly robbing victims of their infinix X507, Micro Max, Itel phones and three sim cards and using the sim cards and the ATM cards to withdraw money from their accounts.

The accused persons were identified as Chijioke Muodozie, 41;Promise Ofuegbu, 25 and Charles Omini.

The arrest of the accused persons was ordered by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos Island following a petition by the victims.

The accused were charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court on a four-count charge of felony to wit, armed robbery and unlawful possession of three ATM cards of various commercial banks and 15 Sim Cards of various network provider and using the ATM and Sim Cards to withdraw money from ATM machine at Skye Bank, Ajegunle branch, Lagos.

Police Counsel, Cyriacus Osuji informed the court in charge No G/14/2018 that the accused persons committed the crime on 21 February, 2018 at Ladipo Bus Stop, Orile, Lagos.

Osuji told the court that the accused persons robbed one Isaac Obasuyi and Cynthia Odigbo of their three phones and ATM cards and used them to withdraw money from their accounts.

He said that the accused persons were also found with various ATM and Sim Cards belonging to different people which they were allegedly using to withdraw money from their accounts.

Osuji added that the offences the accused committed were punishable under sections 298(2)(a)(b), 297 and 329 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and Chief Magistrate W.B Balogun granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum, one of whom must own a landed property in Lagos with C of O which must be verified.

Balogun adjourned the case till 18 April, 2018 for mention and ordered that the defendants be kept at Ikoyi Prison till they fulfilled their bail conditions.