29th February, 2016
Paul Iyoghojie
Three suspected handset snatchers alleged to be terrorising and robbing fun seekers in Victoria Island have been arrested.
The police at the Bar Beach Division, Victoria Island, Lagos, western Nigeria, arrested them after they allegedly snatched a Galaxy Edge Samsung phone valued at N160,000 from an expartriate, Joseph Hawach, at Debonia Spice Club, Victoria Island.
Police identified the suspects of no fixed address as Femi Bajulaiye, 31, Ayodele Odaniyi,32 and Folorunsho Oladeji, 31.
Police alleged that nemesis caught up with the suspects when they engaged themselves in a fight along Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island at about 3.a.m. after they snatched the handset from the owner over who among them should go and sell the phone.
It was learnt that while the three suspects insisted that they must partake in the selling of the handset, Bajulaiye allegedly insisted that since he was the one that actually masterminded the crime, he will be the one to go and sell it.
Suspecting that Bajulaiye’s intention was to cheat them after selling the handset, the other two suspects reportedly engaged their colleague in a fight to retrieve the handset from him.
It was gathered that while this was going on, residents in the area called the DPO in charge of Bar Beach Division, Victoria Island, CSP Olusegun Ajamolaya that some suspected thieves were depriving them of sleep in the area.
Following the report, the DPO despatched a patrol team led by Inspector Abdulraman to the scene to arrest the suspects and bring them to the station.
On sighting the police, the suspects took to their heels, but the police pursued and arrested them, recovered the stolen phone from them and took them to the station.
During investigation, all the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime, and after investigation by Corporal Obiajunwa Iheanyichukwu and his team, the suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ court, Lagos on a two-count of stealing handset.
Police prosecutor, Sgt Omisakin Kehinde, said the offences the accused persons committed are punishable under sections 409 and 285 of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The first accused, Femi Bajulaiye, pleaded guilty to the charges while the two others pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Mr P. A. Adekomaiya admitted the not guilty to bail in the sum of N50,000 each with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till 29 March, 2016 for mention.
Adekomaiya adjourned till 7 March, for facts and sentencing of Bajulaiye, and all the suspects were taken to Ikoyi prison till the adjourned date.