By Onozure Dania

A 33-year- old man, Okechukwu Igbojekwe has been docked before an Ikeja Magistrate court for stealing N3,800,000.  Igbojekwe, who was arraigned last week, is facing a two-count charge of unlawfully obtaining and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Rachael Williams, told the court that Igbojekwe committed the crime on June 18, 2010 around 4pm at Association Plaza, Cement bus stop, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos. He alleeged that the defendant had on June 18, 2010, around 4pm, unlawfully obtained two containers of tiles worth N3,800,000 from one Chief Sunday Osonwa on the pretence to sell and refund the proceed to him.

She also said that Igbojekwe unlawfully obtained and stole two containers of tiles valued N3,800,000, property of Chief Sunday Osonwa, pretending to go and sell them so that he could refund  the proceed from the tiles to the owner, but never did.

According to her, the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under section 312(b) and 278 (b) of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.

When the charges were read to the defendant whose residential address could not be ascertained as at the time of the arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Magistrate Olagbegi Adelabu, who granted him bail, adjourned the matter till September 9, 2012, for further hearing.