A 27-year-old tricycle rider (popularly called Marwa), Olawale Ajayi, on Wednesday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing from his passenger.
Ajayi, who resides at Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp Donjor Perezi, told the court that the defendant and his accomplice, now at large, committed the offences on April 30, at 7Up area of Ketu, Lagos State.
Perezi alleged that the defendant stole an Infinix phone worth N115,000 and a Apple wristwatch worth N64,000 from the passenger, Mr Isaac Adekoya.
He told the court that the defendant and his accomplice stole the property as the passenger was alighting at his bus stop.
Perezi told the court that passers-by helped to apprehend the defendant and hand him over to the police, while his accomplice escaped.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 411 stipulates seven years’ jail term for conspiracy while stealing attracts three years’ imprisonment under Section 287 of the criminal law.
Magistrate M.O. Tanimola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N80,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate adjourned the case until May 23 for mention.
