Court Remands Nigerian In Prison For Stealing Phones Worth Over N2.9Million
According to the details of the charge marked MEN/541/2024 obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, Igwe was arraigned on Tuesday on three counts bordering on robbery and conspiracy.
His Worship Nelson Egbo of the Enugu North Magistrate Court has remanded a 40-year-old man, Osita Igwe at Enugu Correctional Centre for allegedly stealing mobile phones.
According to the details of the charge marked MEN/541/2024 obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, Igwe was arraigned on Tuesday on three counts bordering on robbery and conspiracy.
The police in the charge between the Commissioner of Police and Osita Igwe, accused the suspect of robbing one Chijioke Mba of his belongings including four iPhones and accessories worth N2,907,635.9907, on July 5, 2024, at the Ebeano Tunnel area of the state.
The police prosecutor, Emma Ugwu, told the court that the Defendant’s offences contravened Sections 6(b), 1(1), and 2(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, as well as Section 315(3) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Law of 2009.
Among the items allegedly stolen from Chijioke Mba were a Samsung Fold 4 valued at N1.3 million, an iPhone 13 Pro Max valued at N800,000, a black iPhone cord valued at N5,000, and a small envelope containing US$500 in cash, among other valuables.
The counts read: “That you Osita Igwe ‘M’, and others now at large on or about the 5th day of July, 2024 at Ebeano Tunnel road, Enugu within the Enugu magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Robbery and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) ACT, CAP. R11 L.F.N. 2004.
“That you OSITA IGWE ‘M’, and others now at large on or about the same date, place, and time and within the aforementioned magisterial District did use personal violence to rob one Chief Chijioke Mba ‘m’ of his one Samsung Fold 4 phone valued at one million, three hundred thousand naira (N1,300,000.00), one iPhone 13 Pro-Max, valued eight hundred thousand naira (N800,000.00), one black iPhone cord valued five thousand naira (N5,000.00) and one small envelope containing cash sum of five hundred (500) U.S dollars, all property of Chief Chijioke Mba ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (1) and (2) (b) of the Robbery And Firearms (Special Provisions) ACT CAP. R11 L.F.N. 2004.
“That you Osita Igwe ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date and place and within the aforementioned magisterial district, did attempt to unlawfully use personal violence to take away and unlawfully imprison one Chief Chijioke Mba ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 (3) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Law 2009, Revised Laws of Enugu State.”
The Defendant pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him and interpreted to his understanding.
Consequently, the presiding Chief Magistrate, His Worship Nelson Egbo, ordered that the Defendant be remanded in Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, and adjourned the case until September 20, 2024, for further hearing.
