CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 51-year-old man, Nwosu Ukoha, and a 27-year-old woman, Charity Ochelo, were arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court on Thursday over allegations of conspiracy, stealing, assault and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.
According to a charge sheet marked Charge No/2025 and filed by the Commissioner of Police, the two defendants and others now at large allegedly committed the offences on 28th August, 2025 at about 2220hrs. The alleged incident occurred at Nomase Hotel, Egbeda in the Lagos Magisterial District.
The defendants were later arrested and charged to court on 30th April, 2026. In Count 1, the prosecution alleged that Nwosu Ukoha and Charity Ochelo conspired among themselves to commit felony. The charge stated that the alleged conspiracy was to commit stealing and was contrary to and punishable under Section 11 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 11 criminalizes agreements between two or more persons to carry out illegal acts.
Count 2 alleged conspiracy to steal one gold pendant chain valued at Six Million Naira, N6,000,000.00. On the charge sheet, it was alleged that the property belonged to one Mary Olayere of No. 44, Shasha Road, Akowonjo Round About, Egbeda, Lagos State.
The prosecution said that the alleged theft was contrary to and punishable under Section 280(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. In simple terms, Section 280 defines stealing as dishonestly taking property without consent and with intent to permanently deprive the owner. Subsection (1)(a)(b) covers theft of items valued above thresholds set by Lagos law and prescribes higher penalties.
Count 3 alleged that Nwosu Ukoha, Charity Ochelo and others now at large allegedly assaulted one Mary Olayera at the same date, time and place within the Lagos Magisterial District. Assault under Lagos law includes any unlawful act that causes apprehension of immediate violence or bodily harm.
The alleged assault offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 170(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 170 explains that assault occasioning harm occurs when a person unlawfully inflicts injury that interferes with health or comfort. Conviction under this section carries prison terms or fines as determined by the court.
Count 4 alleged that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner allegedly likely to cause breach of public peace. The prosecution alleged that their conduct at Nomase Hotel, Egbeda violated Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 168(d) targets behaviour that could provoke disorder or alarm in public places.
However, they pleaded not guilty to all counts when they appeared before the court on April 30, 2026.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to provide evidence against the defendants. The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge sheet is ASP Roland Oderinde of Command Special Squad II, Ikeja State Command.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L. A. Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with conditions to be met. The defendants were remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending when they would perfect their bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned to 16th June, 2026, for further proceedings and mention.
The charge sheet however, did not indicate the court’s finding or sentence at the time of filing, as the case remains before the court for hearing. Legal observers note that all allegations remain unproven until the court delivers judgment. Under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution bears the burden of proving the charges beyond reasonable doubt during trial.
