28th April, 2024
By Paul Iyoghojie
Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police have arrested an Ikeja-based handset seller, Mrs Temitope Aderonke Ojo, 27, and charged her before a Lagos Magistrate’s court for allegedly stealing seven iPhones valued at N10.5m belonging to her employer, Ogabassey Services Limited.
Also arrested and charged alongside her was the alleged receiver of an iPhone 13 Promax valued at N950,000, Azeez Ismail Seun.
Police alleged that the secret became open when the complainant audited its account and discovered that seven iPhones in the shop were missing.
Police further alleged following the development, the complainant petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos AIG Durosimi Olatoye who directed his men to arrest the suspect.
Police alleged that Mrs Ojo allegedly stole two iPhone 12 Promax, two iPhone 13 Promax, one iPhone 14 Promax and two iPhone 15 Promax, all valued at N10.5m and allegedly sold one iPhone 13 Promax to her alleged accomplice, Seun for N950,000.
After investigation by Supol Joseph Omokhodion and team, the duo was charged before the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos Island on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and receiving stolen property.
Police prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Haruna told the court in the charge marked B/11/2024 that the defendants committed the offence in October and November 2024 at 2, Olaide Tomori Street, and Medical Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
Haruna informed the court that the first defendant stole her employer’s seven iPhones valued at N10.5m and went to sell one of the iPhones to the second defendant for N950,000 before they were arrested.
He said the offences committed were punishable under Sections 287(a)(b) and 328 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsel, Barr. Augustine Okeh prayed the court to grant the defendants bail in the most liberal terms.
The presiding Magistrate granted the defendants a bail of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till 24 April 2024 for mention.
He ordered that the defendants be kept at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Facilities till they perfected the bail.