Four men arrested for stealing N1b property from late M.K.O Abiola’s bookshop

Four men have been arrested and arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly entering the Late Moshood Kashimao Olawale (MKO) Abiola’s Bulk purchase bookshop in Oshodi, Lagos to steal properties valued at N1 billion.

The suspects are Dare Saka, 40; Adebola Adesida, 33; Lateef Onifade 34 and Gbenga Adedigba, 34. The properties allegedly stolen by the accused persons, according to the Police included a generator, welding machine, books, tank and printing machine. Police said that the accused persons allegedly threatened the life of Mr Ajayi Oluwatosin, a security officer attached with Pexion Security services and other staff guarding the bookshop to gain entry into the shop to steal and damaged properties valued at N500 million and escaped.


A police source said that the arrest of the accused persons was ordered by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone two Command, Onikan, Lagos following a petition by the children of Late Moshood Abiola represented by Mr Deji Abiola. After investigation by Inspector Sunday Oyelani and his team, the accused persons were charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, threatening violence, forcible entry, malicious damage and stealing.

Police prosecutor, Ingobo Emby informed the court in charge No B/2/2018 that the accused persons committed the offence on 14, 15 September, 7,14,16 and 20 December,2017 about 1500hrs in Oshodi.  Emby told the court that the accused persons connived and invaded the Late Moshood Abiola’s bulk purchase bookshop in Oshodi, to steal books and other properties valued at N1b and damaged properties worth N500,000,000 after they allegedly overpowered the security men on duty and escaped.

He said the accused persons were arrested at their hideout following a tip off.  Emby said the offences the accused committed were punishable under sections 411, 340, 56 (a), 52, 351, 287 and 56 (1)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku granted them bail in the sum of N10,000,000 each with two sureties each in like sum who must show proof of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government.

Botoku adjourned the case till 1 February, 2018 for mention and ordered that the defendants be kept at the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos till they are able to perfect their bail conditions.