3 teenagers docked for robbing church in a vigil service

Three teenagers and a 20-year-old man, Yusuf Lateef, have been arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

According to the charge, the teenagers, Jamiu Saka, 18, Chukwudi Onwuharanye, 18, David Onokpise, 19, and Lateef entered a church during a vigil service and robbed people of their valuables.

The defendants were said to have robbed the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Nelson Opara, of his handset and money, and one Okon Esther was dispossessed of two Visafone and one Blackberry Curve 3, during the vigil service.

Count one of the charge reads: “Jamiu Saka, Yusuf Lateef, Chukwudi Onwuharanye, and David Onokpise, on 19 May, 2012, at Sowers Ministry International No. 64A Kirikiri Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos State, in the Lagos Division conspired to commit felony to wit: armed robbery.”

All the defendants live in Ajegunle and had the charge read to them in English and Yoruba languages.

The pleas of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants were taken in English language, while that of the 4th defendant was taken in Yoruba.   They pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the State of Lagos.

The prosecutor, Mr O. Soetan, informed the court that the alleged offence was contrary to Section 295 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.   He therefore asked the court for a trial date to enable his witness to be in the dock for his evidence, stressing that he had agreed with the defence counsel on 29th and 30th of September.

source: vanguardngr.