Student, 23, snatches motorist’s two phones in Lagos traffic
A 23-year-old student, Arafat Ayoola, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with snatching two phones worth N200,000 in traffic.
Ayoola, whose address was not provided, is facing charges of conspiracy and stealing.
Police Prosecutor Godwin Awase alleged that Ayoola committed the offences on March 2 in Ikeja.
He said the accused and one other person still at large conspired to steal two phones valued at N200,000, property of Mr. Kennedy Okereke.
“The accused stole the complainant’s 6S plus iPhone valued at N120,000 and a Samsung Note 8 worth N80,000,” Awase told the court.
According to Awase, Okereke, who was driving his car, was stopped by the traffic light and Ayoola distracted him before stealing his two phones.
“When the Okereke got to the traffic light, Ayoola hit his car with his hand, Okereke opened the door to know why his car was hit in that manner.
“Ayoola snatched the two phones from his car and ran away. Okereke raised alarm shouting ‘thief, thief’ and people around gave them a hot chase.
“A mobile policeman on a motorcycle at the scene also pursued Ayoola and used his motorcycle to push him into the gutter.
“He was arrested, while his accomplice escaped with the phones,” the prosecutor said.
Ayoola, if found guilty, is facing up to three years in prison for stealing, while he faces another two years for conspiracy.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate, Mrs. George, said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
