4 Arraigned For Robbery

A 28-year old woman, Mohammed Funke and three men were on Wednesday arraigned before an Ebute-metta Magistrate’s court for armed robbery.

The three men arraigned with Funke are, Theophilus Emmanuel Ebang 34, Tayo Olaniyan, 39 and Christopher Olomewo, 28.

The other defendants were alleged to be involved in snatching vehicle at different locations in Lagos State and arraigned for armed robbery, illegal possession of arms and armed robbery while the fourth accused Christopher was arraigned for receiving stolen vehicles.

Vehicles allegedly stolen by the group include: an SUV with registration number JM 742 EKY, belonging to one Alu Osanwonyi, stolen at Lekki; a Toyota Carina registration number DK 306 EKY belonging to Chika Egbo, stolen at Ikotun and a Honda Accord with registration number CQ 104 AAA, belonging to Magnum Trust Bank Ltd., stolen at Festac.

They were alleged to have stolen the vehicles on 12 February, 2002 and 15 January, 1999.

The count three of the charge reads; “that you Theophilus Emmanuel Ebang, Tayo Olaniyan, Mohammed Funke and others at large, in the magisterial district whist armed with guns and dangerous weapons did rob a Padro Jeep with registration number JM 742 EKY, valued at N11.5m, property of one Alu Osanwonyi, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5 (b) and punishable under Section 1 (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Fire Armed Special Provision Act Cap.398 Vol.XXII, laws of federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Though they pleaded not guilty to all the four-count charges, the court ordered that they should be remanded in the prison custody till 21 October, 2010, when the case will come up for trial.

However, the fourth defendant, Christopher Olomewo, was admitted to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.  The sureties, the court ordered must show evidence of paying tax to Lagos State government and pay 10 per cent of the bail bond in cash to the court registry.

—Paul Sanusi