Engineer arraigned for allegedly stealing from blind friend

The police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a computer engineer, Sola Akinwale, for alleged stealing N300,000 from his blind friend, through the Automated Teller Machine

Akinwale, 41, is standing trial before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on a two-count charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Phillip Ugbodu, told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on two occasions on May 15 and May 16 at an ATM of First Bank Plc in Lagos.

Ugbodu said the accused, who shares an apartment with his blind friend, Mr Pelumi Adu, had often gone with him to withdraw money from the ATM and consequently took advantage of that to memorise his Personal Identification Number.

He said Akinwale on the dates stole Adu’s ATM card and withdrew the amount in two installments.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Kemi Doja-Ojo adjourned the case till Oct. 25 for further hearing.

In a related development, a 34-year-old car painter, Opeyemi Yovo, was charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a Toyota Corolla car valued at N3.2 million.

The prosecutor, Insp. Eshiet Eshiet told the court that the offence was allegedly committed on Aug. 13 at Palmgrove Area of Lagos.

Eshiet said the car with Reg. No. DV 717 LND belonged to Crusader Life Insurance Nig. Plc.

The prosecutor said the car was subsequently recovered in Akinwale’s workshop.

He said the offence was contrary to Sections516 and 390 (10A) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing and was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Chief Magistrate, Oyindamola Ogala, adjourned the case till Oct. 25 for further hearing.