3rd January, 2012
Two suspected burglars have confessed to the police in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria that they sell stolen laptops and handsets to unsuspecting members of the public in the open market at Computer Village, Ikeja.
One of the suspects, Abibu Saliu allegedly broke into a house at 15, Ibeju Lekki Street, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos at about 3 a.m.
He reportedly stole four computers and handets.
However, luck ran out on him when an elderly woman inside the house sighted him and raised alarm.
Saliu managed to escape to a hideout inside the estate where he invited his accomplices, Ogunleye Lateef Oluwaseun and Tunde Yusuf.
As they made for the estate in a Nissan Sunny car with registration number DC 851 MUS, they were arrested by policemen attached to Dolphin Estate Division.
In their confessional statements to the police, the suspects allegedly said that their gang specialised in breaking into residential estates in Lagos and Ogun states, whenever they stole laptops and handsets, the items were sold at the popular Computer Village in Lagos.
Abibu Saliu allegedly confessed to breaking into houses to steal while he told the police that Ogunleye was the recipient of the stolen properties which they usually dispose at the computer village.
But Tunde Yusuf denied being a member of the gang. He claimed to be a driver who was using his cab to carry the suspects.
The police have arraigned the three suspects before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos. They were charged with a three-count offence of house breaking, entry and stealing.
According to the prosecuting police officer, Samuel Kor, the offence is punishable under Sections 409, 304, 305(c ), 285 and 326 of the Criminal Law number 34, Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Count 1 & 3: “read that you Abibu Saliu, Oguleye Lateef Oluwasheun and Tunde Yusuf on 27 December, 2011 at about 3.30 a.m at 15, Ibeju Lekki Street, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did commit felony to wit, breaking and entering the house of Mr./Mrs. Tomiwa Adegbenro to steal one Sony Laptop, one Dell Laptop, one Acer Laptop, one Apple Ipad, One Samsung Phone, 1 Phone, 3 Duracel Battery, 1 Mouse, 3 credit cards of bank of America, one gold necklace, one computer charger, 8 dollars and N25,000 with total value put at N948,000 properties of Adegbenro.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Oshodi Makanju admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum who must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government for three years.
She adjourned the matter till 12 February 2012 for mention.
The suspects were remanded at Ikoyi prison when they could not perfect their bail conditions in good time.
—Paul Iyoghojie