A 36-year-old man named Kazeem Bankole was arraigned on Thursday before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Badagry, facing allegations of stealing ten bags of rice valued at N870,000. Bankole, who does not have a fixed address, is confronted with a two-count charge that includes conspiracy and theft. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo, presented the case to the court, revealing that the defendant committed the alleged offences alongside other individuals who remain at large. According to Ekpo, the theft occurred on October 5 at approximately 2:30 PM in Mosafejo, located in the Aradagun area of Badagry, Lagos. He explained that Bankole unlawfully took ten bags of rice from the store owned by the complainant, Mr. Michael Oyediji. The prosecutor noted that security guards apprehended the defendant at the scene and subsequently handed him over to the police.

Inspector Ekpo emphasized that Bankole’s actions violated sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. He further clarified that Section 287 prescribes a maximum penalty of three years in prison for theft, while Section 411 provides for a two-year sentence for conspiracy.

Chief Magistrate Mr. N.A. Layeni granted Bankole bail in the amount of N500,000, requiring that he present two sureties who must also provide a similar sum. Layeni specified that one of the sureties must be a civil servant holding a grade level 12 position. The court has scheduled the next mention of the case for November 14.