A 58-year-old landlady, Mariam Abdullahi, was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly burgling her tenant’s apartment to steal valuables and cash totaling N139,000 .
The accused is facing a two-count charge of burglary and stealing before Magistrate F.F. George.
Abdullahi, who resides at Iyana-Iyesi, Ogun, however, pleaded not guilty, and was admitted to a bail of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
George said that the sureties should be gainfully employed, and also show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 10 at Capitol Road, Agege in Lagos State.
He said that the accused broke into the one-room apartment already rented out to one Miss Blessing Nwakibu, to steal her valuables and cash totaling N139, 000.
“When Abdullahi rented out the apartment to Nwakibu, the accused gave the complainant a pair of the key to the room.
“The Accused retained the duplicate, claiming some of her belongings were still in the room.
“When the complainant entered the room few days after packing in, she discovered that the accused had already packed her remaining belongings.
“She also discovered that her own property had been stolen.
“The accused stole six pieces of wrappers, five pairs of shoes, three pairs of sandals, three pairs of slippers, all valued at N132,000, and a N7,000-cash, all totaling N139,000.
“The case was reported at the police station which led to the arrest of the accused,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 attracts three years’ jail term for stealing, while Section 307 prescribes seven years for burglary.
The case was adjourned until June 26 for mention. (NAN
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