Teenager changes plea in trial for theft

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A Nigerian teenager, who earlier pleaded guilty to stealing four laptops, on Thursday changed his plea as a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos was about to sentence him.

Ebuka Epundu, 17, told Magistrate M.A. Ladipo that he was not guilty of the two-count charge of stealing and breaking in, contrary to his plea during arraignment.

Ladipo had reserved facts and sentencing in the case for Thursday, but had to adjourn the case till 18 January for further hearing.

He granted bail to the teenager, who had no fixed address, in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Saliu Isiaka, had, during arraignment, submitted that the teenager and another person at large broke into the premises of the Mbanugo Consulting Company and stole the laptops.

Isiaka said that the laptops were worth N400,000.

He said that the offence occurred on 3 November at 1:30 a.m., at 10 Mbanugo Street, Ikate, Surulere.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 285 and 307 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Also, a 26-year-old man, Ismaila Akinwale, who allegedly stole the handbag of a job seeker, on Thursday appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court on a charge of stealing.

Akinwale, who resides at 68 Coker St., Olateju, Mushin, allegedly snatched the bag from one Miss Juliet Etim, shortly after she submitted her credentials to a firm where she was seeking a job.

According to the prosecutor, Insp Gabriel Ekundayo, the defendant snatched the bag on November 30 on Eric Moore Road, Surulere, as Etim was standing by the roadside.

He said that the bag contained N10, 000, a BlackBerry telephone handset worth N90, 000 and a Nokia telephone handset worth N10, 000.

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The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 285 (5) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate M.K.O. Fadeyi granted him bail in no sum, but directed that he should produce two sureties.

Fadeyi adjourned the case till 14 January for mention.

Again, the police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 40-year-old man, Maduabuchi Uchendu, who allegedly assaulted her married but separated sister, who was seeking refuge in her father’s house.

Uchendu, a resident of 15 Kofowola Way, off Randle Avenue, Surulere, appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court on a charge of assault.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Philip Osijiale, said that the defendant hit Mrs Chinyere Davies, 41, with an iron rod all over her body, causing her severe injury.

Osijiale said that the incident occurred on Dec. 3 at 11:30a.m. when Uchendu overheard Davies, a fashion designer, reporting his alleged bad conduct to their brother on the telephone.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Gbajumo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case till 18 January for mention.

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