28th January, 2011
For allegedly removing a wallet from the pocket of a commuter, a suspect, Ikenna George, 24, has been arrested by the police in Lagos.
He was rescued by the police from a mob which was about to set him ablaze after beating him mercilessly at Kosi Street, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, on 2 January.
The police alleged that Ikenna pretended to be a commuter and in the process of boarding a bus removed a wallet containing N13,800, belonging to Uzoma Chauzukosi.
In his confessional statement to the police, Ikenna confirmed that he had been stealing for the past two years at various bus stops at Orile axis.
“I normally arrive the bus stops by 5 a.m. and while other passengers are struggling to enter vehicles, I will join them and in the ensuing confusion, snatch their handsets, wrist watches and wallets. Sometime, I succeed, most times I fail. It has been part of me and I don’t know how to stop since my friend Chukwudi introduced me into it in late 2008,” he told the police.
The suspect was charged before the Surulere Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of complicity, to wit, stealing, an offence punishable under Sections 516 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge and the presiding magistrate, A.O. Sholadoye granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties and adjourned the matter till 2 February, 2011.
The accused was ordered to be remanded in prison custody when he could not fulfil his bail conditions.
—Paul Iyoghojie
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