A Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba has ordered a remand in prison custody for a 39-year-old lawyer, Mr. Chinwuba Ekene, for allegedly forging a court order and stealing N49,592,000.

The defendant is facing three counts bordering on conspiracy, forgery, breaking and entering, and stealing preferred against him by the police.

During his arraignment, the Police Prosecutor, Supol Idowu Osungbure, told the court that the defendant conspired with others who are now at large. Osungbure told the court that the incident occurred sometime in June 2024, at House 6, G Close, 322 Road, FESTAC Town, Lagos.

The prosecutor alleged that Chinwuba forged a court order and used it to invade and break into the apartment of the complainant, one Helen Ekwem, and carted away several properties in the name of carrying out lawful execution of a judgment of the court, a representation he knew to be false, illegal and unlawful.

Osungbure said the defendant stole a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep 2020 model with number plate, NNE 749 FC, a MacBook pro Laptop valued at N2.3 million, seven pairs of original suits valued at N560,000, and 15 industrial fans valued at N1,830,000.

Other items are stud earrings valued at N360,000, Hublot wristwatches valued at N700,000, a Jacobs & co perfume (Snaty) valued at N62,000, 25 pairs of shoes valued at N1 million, untouched perfumes valued N124,000, Evoke perfume valued N47,000, 2000 pieces of savings box valued at N200,000, two ceiling fans valued at N60,000, and sitting room central chairs valued at N750,000.

The prosecutor said the total value of the items allegedly stolen by the lawyer was N49,592,000, property of Ekwem. He also accused the defendant of stealing the original car documents of the complainant.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 411, 363, and 287, of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

However, the defendant who was arraigned before Magistrate Ali Balogun, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Consequently, the court admitted him to bail in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Magistrate Balogun ordered that one of the sureties must be in paid employment, while the other surety must be his spouse or parent. The court further ruled that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must have their addresses verified.

THE PUNCH reports that Magistrate Balogun adjourned the case till February 13, 2024, for mention.

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