CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Four men have been arraigned before the Lagos Magistrate Court over the alleged burglary and stealing of hotel properties valued at over N16.3 million at De-Legend Hotel, Ikotun, Lagos.
The defendants were Etim Nyong Asuquo, 31, Amune Topa, 32, Aleke Miracle, 24, and Bala Sanni, 47.
They were arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu. The case was prosecuted by SP Philip Adegbemuji.
The charge was filed by the Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja, and signed by SP Banti Adamu, O/C Command Tactical Squad 1.
According to the charge sheet, the incident allegedly happened on September 8, 2026, at about 8:00 a.m. at De-Legend Hotel, Ikotun, Lagos.
In Count One, the Police alleged that Etim Nyong Asuquo, Amune Topa, Aleke Miracle and others now at large conspired amongst themselves to commit felony to wit: burglary and stealing.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In Count Two, the Police alleged that the three defendants broke and entered into the hotel belonging to one Omotayo Temitope and stole properties valued at Sixteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N16,367,100.00).
The items allegedly stolen included a 16-channel mixer valued at N250,000, two microphones valued at N48,000, one extension wire valued at N10,000, a voltage step-down valued at N15,000, 33 pieces of air conditioning remote control valued at N132,000, 26 pieces of television remote control valued at N52,000, four walkie-talkies valued at N100,000, eight pieces of standing split air condition valued at N1,082,000, one pack of Origin drink valued at N30,000, a set of bed sheet valued at N35,000, 23 pieces of refrigerator compressors valued at N2,324,700, a dust bin pack valued at N60,000, and one APC Industrial UPS 100KVA valued at N7,000,000.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 307 (a) (b) (c) (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In Count Three, the Police alleged that Bala Sanni and others still at large, between April 1, 2026 and September 8, 2026, at Ikotun, Lagos, dishonestly received stolen spare parts, industrial stabilizer, washing machine, refrigerator compressor, air condition and waste bin from Etim Nyong Asuquo and Amune Topa, knowing fully that they were stolen properties.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 314 (1) (2) (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
When the charges were read to them in court, all four defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, their counsel applied for bail, urging the court to grant them bail on liberal terms, noting that they have fixed addresses and will not jump bail.
Magistrate Kusanu granted them bail with two sureties each.
The court ordered that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment.
The defendants were ordered to be remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The human side of the story is the impact on the hotel owner and workers.
For the complainant, Omotayo Temitope, the alleged burglary was not just about stolen items. It affected the daily running of the hotel, as guests could not enjoy air conditioners, television, and other facilities that were allegedly carted away.
Workers at the hotel also said they were left in fear after the incident, as they did not know if the burglars would return.
For the defendants, who are mostly young men in their 20s and 30s, the case has now become a fight to clear their names and protect their future.
They are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the court will determine whether the allegations against them can be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Police sources said investigation is still ongoing to arrest other suspects said to be at large and to recover more of the allegedly stolen items.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.