A 27-year-old mechanic, Adewale Okeowo, on Friday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing his neighbour’s mini bus worth N730,000 and escaping from police custody.
Okeowo, who resides at the Shomolu area of Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and escaping from lawful custody.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the defendant stole a mini bus on Jan. 9, at 5a.m., along Church Street in Shomolu.
Nurudeen gave the description of the mini bus as: an ash-colour Suzuki mini bus with Registration No. EKY 417 XZ belonging to the complainant, Mr Francis Ireozi.
He said that the defendant stole the bus from Ireozi’s compound after the complainant had refused to give it to him for commercial purposes.
The prosecutor said that the defendant, thereafter, escaped to Ogun.
Nurudeen also said that after the police had arrested him, he still escaped from their custody.
He said that the police later re-arrested when he was trying to sell off the bus.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 106 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ jail term for stealing, while Section 106 (a) prescribes seven years’ imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody.
The chief magistrate, Mrs K.B. Ayeye, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ayeye said that the sureties should be above 40 years old and must be gainfully employed.
She said that the sureties also should show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The court adjourned the case until April 29 for mention.
