10th October, 2023
By Paul Iyoghojie
The police at the Maroko Division, Lekki of the Lagos State Police Command, Lagos have arrested the Chief Security Officer in charge of Ayinde Akinmade Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Mohammed Issa, 49 and a security man in the area, Mohammed Saleh, 28, and charged them before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly conniving to steal property valued at N16,950,000.
Police alleged that the security man burgled the apartment belonging to the complainant, Olatoun Ayinde to steal her property such as three Panasonic air conditioners valued at N500,000, a water pumping machine valued at N50,000, a microwave valued at N100,000, and two LG plasma television valued at N500,000.
Others are a box of assorted jewellery valued at N10,000,000, a towel valued at N37,000 and other items, all valued at N16,950,000 and escaped.
According to police, Saleh sold the towel to the Chief Security Officer, Issa.
Police further alleged that following the incident, the complainant reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Maroko division who directed his crack team led by Inspector Austin Adefemi to smock out the fleeing suspect anywhere he might be hiding and the police team tracked and arrested Saleh at a hideout at Lekki, Lagos.
During the investigation, Saleh allegedly confessed to the crime and said that he allegedly sold part of the stolen towel to the Chief Security Officer in the area to stop him from arresting him with the stolen property.
Saleh led the police to arrest the Chief Security Officer.
The duo were charged before the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge bordering on burglary, stealing and receiving stolen property.
Police counsel, Reuben Solomon told the court that the defendants committed the offence between April and July 2023 at Ayinde Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos.
Solomon informed the court that the first defendant, Saleh stole properties valued at N16,950,000 and escaped to sell one towel to the Chief Security Officer in the area, Issa to help the suspected thief to escape with the stolen items.
He said the offences, the defendants committed were punishable under Sections 411, 307(a), 309(1) and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The first defendant, Saleh pleaded guilty to the charges while the second defendant, Issa pleaded not guilty to the offence and the presiding Magistrate, Mr. O. S. Abioye granted him N100,000 bail with one surety in like sum.
Abioye adjourned the case till 17 October 2023 for mention, facts and sentencing.