The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a national from Cotonou, Republic of Benin, John Tchada Assou, for allegedly breaking into the residence of his employer, Stephanie Geddes, at the VGC, Ajah area of the state, stealing their valuables and running away.

The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate O.Y. Adefope sitting before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court on three counts of breaking in, stealing and breach of the peace.

According to the police, Assou confessed that he took all the stolen jewellery and other valuables to a friend named Taye who connived with him to commit the crime.

The police prosecutor, Haruna Magaji, told the court that Assou who was employed in October 2023 as a chef committed the offence on November 14, 2023, around 10.30 am.

Magaji revealed that the offences contravened Section 307 and are punishable under Sections 411, 308 (1) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

The charges read in part, “That you, John Tchada Assou, and others now at large, on or before November 14, 2023, at VGC Ajah, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit; housebreaking and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015. 

“That you, John Tchada Assou, and others now at large, on or before November 14, 2023, around 10.30 am at VGC Ajah, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did intentionally break into the resident of Stephanie Geddes and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 307 and 308 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

“That you, John Tchada Assou, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal different types of jewellery, wristwatches and other valuable properties which the value is not yet ascertained, property of Stephen Geddes and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

Following his plea, the magistrate admitted him to bail in the sum of N500.000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Adefope adjourned the case till January 24, 2024, for mention.