Serial Industrial generator robbers face trial
By Sunmola Olowookere
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A two- armed robbery gang, who allegedly specialise in demobilizing industrial generators and carting them away to be refurbished and resold have been arraigned before an Akure High Court.
According to the prosecution led by Mr. J.K Orimoloye, the duo, Innocent Ikechukwu and Victor Ologun, were charged on a five-count charge ranging from conspiracy to series of armed robberies.
The accused persons however, pleaded ‘not guilty to the five-count charge preferred against them, as their counsel, Mr. Felix Afe told the court that they were just a driver and a motorboy.
The prosecution, stated that the case came to light, following a petition to the police by one of the robbed parties; patriotic oil and gas who alleged that the armed robbers raided its the company in November, 2017.
The duo were alleged to have beaten and tied down the security guard on duty in the Company premises along Futa North gate road, Akure before carrying out their operations.
The police witness, Sergeant Oni Temitope, while testifying before the court, said that the armed robbers invaded the company’s premises with a hyab truck and the industrial generator was removed.
Other valuables removed include, Techno handset, inverter batteries, car batteries, gas cylinders, DVD player, table top burner and a sum of N580, 000.
He added that the first defendant was arrested through a forensic analysis in connection with the stolen techno handset and had led the team to Asaba in Delta state where most of the stolen items were kept and sold out.
He stated that his team packed the goods along with the store owner in Asaba and brought them to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Akure..
Following further investigation in the case, he testified further that the first accused person Ikechukwu had led them to the second accused person, Ologun
He stated that the first accused person had also confessed to have stolen a generator attached to a Glo mast at Iro and also stole another one at Ilara-mokin.
The accused person had also further confessed that they took the stolen items to Asaba where they are refurbished and sold.
The police witness said that the properties had since been released to their owners following required processes, afterwhich the prosecution closed its case.
The trial judge, thereafter adjourned the case till April 8, 2019 for the defence to open its case.
