A 32-year-old man, Ebunoluwa Olaniyi, was on Friday arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a mobile phone and using it to fraudulently withdraw money from the owner’s bank account.
Olaniyi, of no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendant and others still at large committed the offence on Sept. 23 at Ojota Bus Stop, Lagos.
Bassey alleged that the defendant and his accomplices conspired to steal a Tecno Spark 20 phone worth ₦148,000 from one Nurudeen Olamilekan, a dispatch rider.
He said that after stealing the phone, the defendant used it to fraudulently transfer ₦69,000 from the complainant’s Access Bank account.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant was in traffic when the defendant distracted him by pretending that his car door was open. While he checked, another suspect snatched his phone.
“The suspects attempted to flee, but the defendant was apprehended with the help of nearby police officers while others escaped,” Bassey told the court.
The alleged offences contravened Sections 411 and 280 and are punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate O.A. Daodu granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for further hearing.
(NAN)