Trader in court over theft of dry fish



A 32-year-old trader at the Iddo Market, in Lagos on Thursday pleaded guilty to receiving 188 pieces of stolen dry fish worth N65,800.

Chidi Emmanuel who was charged with conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property admitted before an Ebute Metta Magistrate Court that he received the fish from a man simply identified as Bash.

The prosecutor, Mercy Ofanson, had submitted that Mr Emmanuel received the stolen fish from Bash on June 19 at the Iddo Motor Park, Ebute Metta.

"The fish was stolen from Isiaka Ango by Bash and received by Mr Emmanuel. His intention was to sell the fish and remit the proceeds to Bash," she told the court. "Emmanuel has been in the act of receiving stolen goods from Bash."

She said the offence contravened sections 390 (9), 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, and was punishable with seven years imprisonment on conviction.

A.O. Olatunji, the magistrate, ordered Mr Emmanuel to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison, and adjourned the case till July 22 for judgment.


In a related development, a trader, Chibuike Eze, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing 49 and a half bags of beans worth N670,000.

Mr Eze, 22, is standing trial before Oyindamola Ogala on a one-count charge of stealing, but he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Eshiet Eshiet, said Mr Eze collected the bags of beans from Chike Obiora on the pretext that he would pay for them after reselling them.

He said the alleged theft took place on May 27 also at the Iddo Market.

The court granted the accused bail conditioned upon the payment of N200,000 and the guarantee of two sureties in like sum.
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