By Shefiu Adeyemo
An Akure Chief Magistrate Court is probing into how thieves broke into one Aderinlewa Olufikayo’s house in the HOB Estate behind the Federal Secretariat Akure, Ondo State, and carted off properties valued N211, 000 at about 12.00 noon on March 15.
The court is questioning two security guards and another one still at large, who were dragged before it for allegedly conspiring and neglecting their duty post and failing to prevent robbers’ entry into the house.
Specifically, Alfred Arome, aged 45; Olakunle Michael, 35; and another suspect still at large; allegedly committed the offence on March 15, 2020, at about 12:00 noon at HOB Estate behind the Federal Secretariat, Akure in the Akure Magisterial District of Ondo State.
According to the charge sheet: “You Alfred Arome, 45years old, Olakunle Michael 25years old and one other at large on the aforementioned date and time did neglect your duty post and fail to prevent the breaking and entry into Dr. Aderinlewa Olufikayo’s house by some thieves in which the following items were stolen away from the said house; A Dell Laptop valued #90,000.00, Jewelries valued #100,000.00, Hand luggage valued #15,000,00, cash of #6,000.00 and the total sum is #211,000,00.”
Their offence was said to have contravened and been punishable under section 515 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol 1 Law of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The suspects were said to have been employed as security guards to protect the said estate. But they allegedly abandoned their duty post and thereby allowed the robbers to gained access to the estate.
The prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun told the court that the accused persons acted in a manner as if they conspired together with the robbers, whereas they were employed to protect the estate. He said it was unfortunate that they left their duty post on the day the ugly incident happened for the robbers to gain access to the estate.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge sheet was read to them.
Chief Magistrate Olanipekun Mayomi, in his ruling, granted the the accused persons bail with #20,000 each with one surety in like sum.
He adjourned the case to November 11, 2020.
