Court slams N100,000 bail over N3,000 phone theft

A 21-year-old man, Ibrahim Asunmo, who allegedly stole a mobile phone valued at N3,000, on Thursday in Lagos got a temporary reprieve as he was granted N100,000 bail.

A Surulere Chief Magistrates' Court which gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, said one of the sureties must be a Grade Level 14 teacher in the Lagos State Government service.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Gabriel Ekundayo, the accused committed the offences at No. 13, Omoniyi St., Sari-Iganmu at about 8.00 p.m. on April 30.

He said the accused and his gang -- Taofeek Ajala and Segun Olaitan, still at large -- went to attack a rival group at Orile-Iganmu and a stole a phone, property of Azeez Isiaka.

Ekundayo said the gang, armed with dangerous weapons such as axes, iron rods and cutlasses to attack the rival group, also assaulted members of the public.

The attack left a man, Qudus Adewusi, seriously injured, he told the court.

The offences contravened Sections 243and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 243 prescribes seven years for grievous harm, while Section 285 provides a three-year jail term for stealing.

The case has been adjourned to May 24 for mention.