CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Three men have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over the alleged theft of 200 pieces of computerised key systems valued at Twelve Million Naira in Berger area of Lagos State.
The defendants, Kelvin Peter, 26, Jamilu Sullaiman, 21, and Yusuf Abdullahi, 27, were arraigned before Magistrate Mrs O. Kusanu on a two-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Adegbemuji, told the court that the offences were allegedly committed on October 8, 2026, at about 6:30pm at Kilometre 2, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Berger, Lagos, within the magisterial district.
In Count One, Kelvin Peter was charged with allegedly stealing 200 pieces of computerised key systems valued at the sum of N12,000,000, property of Mr Chukwuemeka Ogbu. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count Two, Jamilu Sullaiman and Yusuf Abdullahi were charged with allegedly receiving 200 pieces of computerised key systems valued at N12,000,000 from Kelvin Peter, being stolen property belonging to Mr Chukwuemeka Ogbu. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court.
Following their plea, the prosecutor did not oppose bail but urged the court to impose stringent conditions to ensure their attendance at trial.
Magistrate Kusanu granted the defendants bail with two sureties each who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The court adjourned the matter for further hearing to allow the defendants to meet their bail conditions and for the prosecution to present its case.
The charge sheet, with Charge No: MIR/…, was approved by the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on October 12, 2026.
The case was investigated by Inspector Aboderin Olawale of Isheri Police Station and was charged to court by the Divisional Police Officer, Isheri, Lagos.
Berger, located along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, is a major commercial and transport hub in Lagos, with several businesses dealing in auto parts, electronics and computerised security systems.
Traders in the area have continued to raise concerns over theft of high-value goods, especially electronic and automobile security devices, which are often targeted because of their high market value.
The police have advised traders and business owners in Berger and other commercial areas in Lagos to keep proper records of their goods, install security cameras and report suspicious persons to the police promptly.
The Lagos State Government has also continued to emphasise the need for the prosecution of theft and receiving of stolen property, noting that such offences affect business confidence and economic activities in the state.
Under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, stealing is a serious offence, while receiving stolen property is also punishable, as it encourages theft and illegal trade.
The court is expected to hear from the prosecution witnesses at the next adjourned date, while the defence will have the opportunity to cross-examine them.
The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.