Notorious Lekki Event Centre thief Boniface jailed 30 months

By Paul Iyoghojie

An Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting in Tinubu, Lagos Island, has sentenced a 33-year-old man, Kelvin Boniface, to two years and six months’ imprisonment for stealing a mobile phone, bag and laptop at an event centre in Lekki.

Boniface, described by the police as a notorious handset thief who had operated in Abuja and the Ajah area of Lagos, was convicted by Magistrate A.O. Alogba after pleading guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The charges were filed by the police at the Maroko Division, Lekki, following the incident at an event centre located inside Lilygate Hotel, 2 Olubunmi Owa Street, Lekki Phase I, Lagos.

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Magaji Haruna, the convict and an accomplice still at large had sneaked into a strictly by-invitation party at the venue.

Haruna told the court that the organisers, believing the duo were invited guests, did not question their presence.

“The defendant quietly walked to where guests were charging their phones and stole an Infinix Hot 10i valued at N150,000, along with a bag and laptop,” the prosecutor said.

He explained that Boniface handed the stolen bag and laptop to his accomplice, who exited through a separate gate, while he attempted to leave with the phone.

However, a vigilant security officer reportedly noticed the suspicious movement and alerted colleagues.

Haruna stated that the accomplice managed to escape through Exit Gate 2 after dropping the stolen bag and laptop, while Boniface was apprehended at Exit Gate 1 with the stolen handset in his possession.

He was subsequently handed over to officers from the Maroko Division following a distress call from the security team.

During investigations, the prosecutor added, police analysis of various CCTV footages allegedly revealed that the convict had perpetrated similar thefts in Abuja and Ajah, Lagos, before fleeing those locations.

Haruna told the court that the offences contravened Sections 411, 406 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In her judgment, Magistrate Alogba convicted Boniface on his guilty plea and sentenced him to two years and six months’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice.