Two unemployed friends, who allegedly stole a wallet containing some documents and a cell phone, were on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused- Akeem Basiru, 34 and Kehinde Mustapha, 32- both live at Ebute Meta, Lagos, are being tried for conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, an Inspector of Police, told the court that they committed the offences on June 3 at Abule Egba area of Lagos.
According to him, the first accused, Basiru, stopped the complainant, Chris Bassey, on his way home and pretended to be asking for a direction.
“While the complainant was busy directing the place to him, the second accused, Mustapha, was busy removing his wallet from his back pocket.
“Immediately the wallet was removed, the complainant felt it and before he could look back, the accused had taken to his heels with the wallet while his other friend disappeared from the scene.
“With the help of the vigilance group, the two accused were apprehended, almost an hour after, but, the wallet was recovered empty,” he said.
The inspector said that the documents and cell phone valued at N55, 000 and a cash of N10, 000 were not seen in the wallet again.
“The accused were taken to the police station,” Ogu said.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, J. A. Adegun, admitted the accused to a bail of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The case is adjourned until July 6 for mention.
NAN
