Bricklayer lands in court over phone theft

From Sade Adewale, Ondo
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A 29-year-old bricklayer, Michael Ogbenyi, has been dragged before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo town, for stealing one Infinix Hot 5 handset with MTN and GLO sims card valued at N38,000, property of one Mr. Adunola Oluwafemi.

The police brought Ogbenyi before the court  for having in his possession: one Samsung Galaxy Note handset, one infinix Hot 5 handset, one itel handset, four MTN sim cards, two GLO sim cards, one Airtel sim card, two memory cards which he was unable to explain how he came about them.

Ogbenyi is now facing two – count charge bothering on stealing and unlawfully possession, which he pleaded not guilty to.

The defendant was said to have committed the offence on December 4, 2019 at about 9:10am at No 1, Olorunsola street, Yaba, Ondo, contrary to and punishable under section 390(9) and 430 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Volume 1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The charge sheet read in part, ‘”That you, Michael Ogbenyi, on December 27, 2019 at about 12pm at No 46, Omole street, Yaba, Ondo in the aforementioned Magisterial Dstrict did unlawfully possess one Samsung Galaxy Note handset, one infinix Hot 5 handset, one itel Janet, four MTN sim cards, two GLO sim cards, one Airtel sim card, two memory cards which you are unable to explain how you came about and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 430 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The police prosecutor, Mr. Gbenga Akinsulure, told the court that he would be calling three witnesses to testify in the case.

The defendant’s counsel, Mr. Tomiwa Akinnugba, did not oppose the application made by the prosecutor.

But he applied for the bail of the defendant in most liberal terms.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Odenusi Fadeyi, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Fadeyi adjourned the case till February 4, for trial.