An 18 -year-old artisan, Oluwagbemi Abiola, charged with stealing a motorcycle valued at N230,000 was on Friday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs O.A Aderibigbe on a one-count charge of stealing.
Abiola, however, denied committing the offence and was admitted to a bail of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
Aderibigbe said that the surety should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to Lagos State Government.
The Police prosecutor, Insp. Mojirafe Edeme told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 20 at Alagbado, Lagos.
She said that the defendant stole the motorcycle belonging to Mr Anam Cypran.
“The complainant parked his motorcycle in his compound when the defendant came early in the morning to roll it away.
“Unfortunately for him, two landlords accosted him and asked him where he got the motorcycle, he refused to talk and he was taken to the police station along with the motorcycle.
“When the complainant woke up and could not find his motorcycle, he rushed to the station to report the theft.
“He was told that a young man was just brought to the station for his inability to give a satisfactory account of a motorcycle in his possession.
“The motorcycle was released to the complainant after presenting necessary document to prove ownership,” the prosecutor said.
The offence violated section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State which stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing.
The case was adjourned till July 25, for mention.
