23rd February, 2011
Detectives from State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos, have arraigned two robbery suspects before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate court, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
The two accused persons, Paul Ani, 25, and Joe Joseph, 28, were alleged to have stolen a lorry carrying a container with large quantities of red wine, television sets and furniture valued N13.2million at 19, Ojo-Igbede Road, Alaba International Market, Lagos, on 9 September, 2010, and were also arrested on 31 January, 2011, for unlawful possession of one locally made pistol and two live cartridges.
The suspects were arraigned on a five-count charge of unlawful possession of firearm, attempt to commit felony, conspiracy and stealing.
Paul and joe pleaded not guilty to the charges against them but their pleas were not taken by the court based on counts one and two of the charges.
Count one reads; That you Paul Ani, 25, and Joe Joseph 28, and others now at large, on the 31 day of January 2011 at about 1:a.m at Agric Bus stop, Ojo, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully have in your possession or control one locally made pistol and two live cartridges without authority and a licence duly issued to you by Inspector General of Police and thereby committed an offence punishable under 3(1) of the robbery and fire arms (special provision) Act Cap. 398 Vol. xxii Laws Of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 as amended.
While the count four of the charges reads; That you Paul Ani, 25, and Joe Joseph, 28, and others now at large on 9 September, 2010 at 19 Ojo-Igbede Road, Alaba International Market, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did steal a container lorry containing large quantities of red wine, television sets and furniture valued at N11.5million, property of one Amagbe Chinedu and several others and thereby committed an offence punishable under 390(9), of the criminal code cap C 17, Vol. II Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Kemi Doja-Ojo, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison while the case has been adjourned till 28 March, 2011
—Paul Sanusi & Abosede Agboola