10th October, 2015
Paul Iyoghojie
A sales boy identified as Yahu, now on the run, has allegedly recruited his friend, Nuru Issa, 20 to help him steal lace materials from his employer’s shop for them to sell and share the proceeds to enable him have money to solve family problems.
The fleeing suspect allegedly gave the duplicate key of his employer’s shop to the suspect to gain access into the shop to steal the lace material.
Nemesis however caught up with Issa when, after stealing about five bundles of the lace materials, he was apprehended by vigilant traders who invited the police to arrest him.
The incident occurred at 39, Ereko street, Ereko market, Lagos Island where the fleeing sales boy helped his employer, Alhaja Sherifat Olugbode, to sell lace materials.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime that his friend, contracted him to help him steal the lace materials.
According to Issa, “I am a load carrier at Ereko market, Lagos Island. I reside at Ijora Badiya area of Lagos. I am from Cotonou, Benin Republic. On the day of the incident, Yahu called me to his madam’s shop and pleaded with me to help him steal some bales of lace material from his madam’s shop to sell to enable him have money to solve his family problems.
“I agreed because I also needed money to solve some problems. He gave me a duplicate key of the shop to enable me have easy access to the shop but I was surprised after stealing the items, some traders apprehended me and invited the police to arrest me.”
He added: “What surprised me now is that since I was arrested, my friend who was supposed to come to the police station to inform the police that he contracted me to help him steal the lace materials has abandoned me to suffer alone. I promise not to steal again if I am released by the police.”
Police investigation revealed that after the complainant audited her account, she discovered that the fleeing sales boy and the arrested suspect stole her lace material valued at N1.7m.
After investigation by Cpl. Gboyega Oyeniyi and his team, the suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of felony to wit: stealing 95 bundles of lace materials valued at N1.7m, property of Alhaja Sherifat Olugbode.
The offences, Sgt. Babatope Julius said, are punishable under sections 409 and 285(1) of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and magistrate Mrs. J. O. A. Adepoju, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till 26 October, 2015 for mention.