MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 30-year-old man, Mr. Abubakar Aruna, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magisterial District court over allegations of conspiracy, burglary, and theft. The case was filed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, under Charge No. 120/4/19/06/2026.
The complainant in the matter was identified as Ms. Kehinde Akosile, whose shop was allegedly targeted during the incident.
According to the charge sheet, the incident was said to have occurred on the sixth day of May, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m. The location listed was Trust Avenue, Command Road, Amikanle, Alagbado, Lagos State.
In Count I, the prosecution alleged that Mr. Aruna and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit felony, to wit stealing. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Count II stated that on the same date, time, and place, Mr. Aruna and others now at large allegedly broke into the shop of Ms. Kehinde Akosile at Trust Avenue, Command Road, Amikanle, Alagbado, and committed felony therein. This is said to be punishable under Section 309 (2) of the same law.
Count III alleged that the suspect and others now at large stole goods from the shop of Ms. Akosile. The items listed include 52 and a half bags of rice, 20 cartons of semovita, 10 gallons of groundnut oil, 50 cartons of Indomie, 50 cartons of Maggi cube, 40 cartons of tin tomato paste, and some packs of spaghetti.
The total value of the alleged stolen goods was stated as N8,000,000, Eight Million Naira. The property was said to belong to Ms. Kehinde Akosile, the complainant in the case. The charge cited Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty, to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention, while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
Section 411 of the Lagos Criminal Law deals with conspiracy to commit a felony, while Section 309 covers burglary. Section 287 relates to stealing. Prosecutors will be required to prove each element of the offences to secure convictions. Under Nigerian law, every person charged with an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Mr. Aruna is entitled to a fair trial and legal representation.
Legal observers noted that where the charge mentions “others now at large,” the Police may continue investigations to identify additional suspects. The court is expected to review evidence, hear from witnesses, and make a determination according to law. Until the matter is concluded, the allegations against Mr. Abubakar Aruna remain unproven claims contained in the charge document.
