MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 32-year old man, Innocent Benjamin, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a Toyota Sienna Space wagon valued at N22m belonging to one Chinedu Jeff and selling it to a buyer with forged documents.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 17th December, 2025, at 18, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect and others at large, dishonestly stole a 2012 model Toyota Sienna space wagon with Registration Number KUJ 123 DF and chassis number 5TDYK3DC7B5138363 valued the amount in question belonging to the complainant.
After stealing the vehicle, he allegedly forged documents as the owner, sold it to an undisclosed buyer and escaped.
The matter was reported to the Police at the Lagos State Command. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I- “That you, INNOCENT BENJAMIN ‘M’ and others now large, on 17th December, 2025 at 18, Ikorodu Road, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and forgery and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II;-“That you, INNOCENT BENJAMIN ‘M’ and others now large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did dishonestly steal a 2012 model Toyota Sienna space wagon with Registration Number KUJ 123 DF and chassis number 5TDYK3DC7B5138363 valued the sum of Twenty Two Million Naira (N22,000,000.00), property of one Mr. Chinedu Jeff ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”
COUNT III:- That you, INNOCENT BENJAMIN ‘M’ and others now large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did knowingly forge a vehicle license, Two receipt of Director of Road Traffic Worthiness to the prejudice of Lagos State Licensing Office, Directorate of Road Traffic Service and Vehicle Inspector Officer, to sell a 2012 Model Toyota Sienna SPACE Wagon with Registration number KUJ 123 DF and chassis number 5TDYK3DC7B5138363 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 (1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 365 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
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