For allegedly stealing a tricycle popularly called Keke Marwa kept in their care, two petrol station guards on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge.
The police arraigned Mosheed Fabowale, 57, and Emmanuel Sunday, 21, before Chief Magistrate A. A. Fashola.
The duo, whose addresses were not provided, pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and stealing.
According to Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, the defendants conspired and stole a TVS King Tricycle with Reg. No. KRD116QH.
He said the tricycle valued at N670, 000 belonged to the complainant John Omachu.
Unah told the court that the defendants committed the offences with others still at large on October 23 at 11.15pm at NIPCO Filling Station, Surulere Street, Dopemu in Agege, a Lagos suburb.
He submitted that the defendants always collected N200 from the complainant whenever he parked the tricycle at the filling station.
“The defendants usually collected N200 from the complainant for safe-keeping of the tricycle. The complainant suspected the defendants and reported to the police after his tricycle got missing at the filling station,” the prosecutor said.
The chief magistrate admitted the defendants to N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Stealing attracts three years’ jail term while conspiracy is punished with two years’ imprisonment.
The chief magistrate adjourned the case until Dec. 18 for mention.
In Abuja, police on Thursday also arraigned two applicants Chukwunonso Anyanwu and Orlando Ibrahim in a Grade 1 Area Court in Mpape, Abuja for allegedly stealing property valued N115,000.
The police charged the defendants with housebreaking and theft.
Prosecutor M. M. Austin told the court that the defendants on October 29 broke into the house of one Ann Ugwor, who was away from home, and stole a plasma television set and home theatre, all valued at N115, 000 and some clothes.
The defendant pleaded not guilty, and Judge Salihu Ibrahim admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each in like sum.
The case continues on Nov 4.