Man accused of stealing 147 bags of rice

A 25-year-old man, Peter Jekoye, has been taken before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 147 bags of rice.

The incident was said to have occurred on Taylor Road in the Iddo area of Lagos.

The stolen rice was estimated at N1, 255, 800.

It was alleged that Jekoye had, around 3am of October 24, 2013, broken into the shop of the complainant, one Mrs. Esther Olufunmilayo.

He was said to be loading the rice into a van he brought into the area when he was caught in the act.

Jekoye was subsequently handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

The defendant was said to have claimed to be a servant to Olufunmilayo but the complainant denied knowing him.

The police arraigned him on Thursday on two counts of stealing and unlawful entry.

The charges read, “That you, Peter Jekoye, on October 24, 2013, at about 3am at No 1, Taylor Road, Iddo, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did break and enter a shop belonging to one Esther Olufunmilayo Nigeria Limited and thereafter committed felony, to wit stealing.

“That you, Peter Jekoye, did steal 138 bags of Belaluna rice, nine bags of Golden Falcon rice cumulatively valued at N1,255, 800, properties of one Esther Olufunmilayo.”

The prosecutor, Cousin Adams, said the offences were punishable under Sections 307(1) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His defence counsel urged the court to grant him bail in liberal terms.

The magistrate, Mrs. M.O Tanimola, who held brief for the resident magistrate, Mr. K.O Ogundare, granted Jekoye bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

She added that one of the sureties must be the defendant’sblood relation and be resident in Lagos, among others.

The matter was adjourned till December 2 2013.

Punch