Two furniture makers, Chimezie Ello (35) and Samuel Aboatung (36) were on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N.6m from one dock worker, Godswill Ogbonnaya.
Ello and Aboatung are facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, damage, burglary and false pretence.
The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 9, 2018 at about 11am at No 26, Ikogba Street, Monkey Village, Maza-Maza, Lagos.
“The defendants conspired together to steal the following items; one plasma colour-television set valued at N97,000, one HP Book laptop valued at N165,000, one wristwatch valued at N25,000, four senator suits valued at N70,000, five towels valued at N5,000, one gold necklace valued at N18,000, one gold bangle valued at N15,000, cash sum of N30,000. The total value of stolen items N526,000 properties of one Godswill Ogbonnaya,” Aigbokhan said.
The prosecutor also said that the defendants obtained the sum of N90,000 from Godswill Ogbonnaya with the pretext of constructing a set of furniture chair for him, a representation they knew to be false.
Aigbokhan added that the defendants wilfully and unlawfully damage the key valued at N10,000 property of Godswill Ogbonnaya, used to enter into his house.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 411, 287, 350, 307(1)(2) and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against them.
Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one responsible surety.
The surety, according to the Magistrate, must furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case till October 3, 2018 for mention.