Ex-soccer star Odegbami’s house burgled, six suspects arraigned

Six men, who allegedly burgled the home of former Green Eagles star, Segun Odegbami and stole items worth N14.1 million, were on Wednesday arraigned at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The defendants are – Oke Moses (18), Abdul Azeez (22), Ajibade Rahmon (24), Isaac Okenuga (29), Olusola Orisansope (22) and Daramola Abiodun (22).

They were docked before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on a four-count charge of burglary, conspiracy, receiving of stolen property and stealing.

According to the police, the defendants committed the offences between June 1 and 20 at about 2:00 a.m. at No.13, Saro Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Prosecuting police officer, Sgt. Chijioke Njoku, told the court that two of the defendants, Moses and Azeez, unlawfully broke into Odegbami’s house and stole items worth N14.1 million.

Items taken from the ex- soccer star’s residence are – one Iphone 7s plus valued at N490, 000, a Samsung Galaxy S3 phone valued at N150,000, two Apple laptops valued at N600,000 and a Rolex wristwatch valued at N12 million.

Other items – are a box containing clothes and shoes valued at N500,000 and a phone charger valued at N5,000.

The total value of the items is N14.1 million.

Responding to a question from Magistrate Botoku, Njoku said following an investigation by the Victoria Island Police Division, Odegbami’s Samsung Galaxy S3 phone was traced to Okenuga who told the police that he bought it from Moses and Azeez.

But Moses and Azeez, according to Njoku, denied burgling Odegbami’s home.

The duo said they got the phone from a man under the pedestrian bridge at Ketu area of Lagos.

Njoku said the alleged offences contravened Sections 287, 307 (b), 328 (1), and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and punishable under same.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Botoku granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned till August 17 for mention.