A 25-year-old labourer, Musa Haruna, on Thursday appeared before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with stealing of 20 pairs of shoes. Haruna, of no fixed address is facing a two-count charge of burglary and stealing. The prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, said that the accused on Oct. 14 at about 2:00 a.m. burgled shop F-12 at Arena shopping plaza, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, and stole 20 pairs of shoes belonging to one Mrs Joy Ike. “He came with sophisticated tools to break the burglary gate, padlocks and doors. “The security guard attached to the plaza saw the accused going out of the plaza with a bag on his head. “He checked the content of the bag and discovered that the accused had packed shoes into a ‘Ghana must go’ sack and was ready to escape,’’ Olatunde said. The prosecutor said that when the accused was questioned, he claimed to be an orphan and needed money to feed. Olatunde said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 309 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 309 stipulates seven years imprisonment for offender, while Section 285 prescribes three years jail term for stealing. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, granted the accused N100, 000 as bail with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till Oct. 31 for mention. (NAN) 

Source: vanguardngr