By Bamidele Kolawole

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An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, remanded a 24-year-old motor mechanic, Victor Destiny Omoniyi, in Olokuta Correctional centre, for alleged armed robbery.

The police charged Omoniyi, who resides in Jako street, off Oke-Ijebu Road, Akure, with conspiracy, robbery and unlawful possession of stolen property.

Omoniyi is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and armed robbery.

The prosecuting counsel, Taiwo Oniyere informed the court that the defendant committed the offences at about 8:15pm, on April 30, 2024, at Omoniyi Street Akure, contrary to and punishable under Section 6 (a) & (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap. 174 Laws of the Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The charge sheet reads:”That you, Victor Destiny Omoniyi ‘m’ and others at large on April 30, 2024 at about 8:20pm at Omoniyi street, Akure, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court while armed with offensive weapons did hit one Ismaila Ibrahim ‘m’ on his head from the rear with a Iron rod and robbed him of the following items; one TVS motorcycle black colour with number plate ANG 004 VE valued at N950,000, cash sum of N8,500, and one Techno phone valued at N9,000 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1 & 2 (a) & (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap. 174 Laws of the Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The plea of the defendant was not taken due to the nature of the offences.

Through an application, Oniyere urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the issuance of advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Counsel to the defendant, Israel Tiwo, informed the court that he would respond orally and requested his client to explain his involvement  in the case.

In his statement to the police, the defendant confessed to robbing the okada man.

“It is true that I robbed the okada man and took his motorcycle. I did not act alone; my boss sent me. When the police arrested me, I told them about my boss, Kayode Olorunfemi. They asked me to lead them to his location, which I did. They arrested him and his associates, but after two weeks, Kayode and his men were given bail, remaining me in the police station.

“I trained as a motor mechanic and approached Kayode for help to buy my tools to start my own business. He told me to steal a motorcycle by any means and bring it to him, promising to give me N150,000 to open my shop.

“When I went to him, he said he didn’t have the money to give me, but insisted that I stole a motorcycle and then he would pay me. When he was released from the police station, he told me to ask my mother to find money to bail me out, saying he was bailed with N250,000,”he explained.

Magistrate Temilola Olusola-Olujobi ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ondo prison facility pending the outcome of DPP’s advice.

She adjourned the case till September 26, 2024, for hearing.