A 26-year-old caterer, Raphael Kolawole, who allegedly stole an Odua People’s Congress (OPC) shirt, on Wednesday, appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos.
Kolawole, a resident of Ikorodu in Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and possession of stolen property.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences at 6.30 a.m. on April 19 along Gbagada-Oshodi expressway, Lagos.
Olaluwoye said that Kolawole had broken into the complainant, Mr Fatai Ayeni’s apartment and stole his official OPC shirt.
The defendant, she said, had also attempted to rob passers-by, who were going to work that morning of their phones while he was wearing the shirt.
She added that it was another member of the congress, Mr Sikiru Adekunle, who saw the defendant and reported the case at the police station.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 329 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for the offence of stealing while that of possession of stolen property carries a six month jail term.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oghere, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Oghere said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The court adjourned the case until June 5 for mention.