BY PAUL IYOGHOJIE
Operatives of the Nigerian Police Tactical Team of the Area ‘A’ Command, Lagos Island, based at the Onikan Police Division, Ikoyi, have arrested three fleeing sales managers and an alleged receiver in connection with the alleged theft of property valued at N200 million.
Police identified the suspects as Jedidiah Solomon, 42; Danjuma Mohammed, 36; and Aminu Ibrahim, 40.
The alleged receiver of goods was identified as Anestasia Okonkwo, 39.
According to the police, the complainant, Ms. Unyime Akpaffiong, Chief Executive Officer of LUXE Rental Services, employed the three men as sales managers to handle the renting of equipment to event organisers.
Police alleged that the suspects betrayed the trust placed in them by allegedly carting away company property including 531 pieces of VIP luxury furniture, 605 pieces of event chairs and tables, and artificial decoration flowers. The total value of the items was put at N200 million.
It was further alleged that after the alleged theft, the suspects fled and sold the items to the alleged receiver.
Police said when the complainant returned and discovered that the equipment was missing and the three managers were unreachable, she petitioned the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area ‘A’ Command, Lagos Island.
The ACP directed the Tactical Team at Onikan Division to track and arrest the suspects. The team tracked the three managers to different hideouts in Lagos and arrested them.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly led operatives to the hideout of the alleged receiver, where Anestasia Okonkwo was also arrested.
Following investigation by Inspector Suleiman Olabode and his team, all four suspects were arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island.
The police prosecuting counsel told the court in Charge No. H/18/2026 that the defendants committed the offence with others still at large between 2025 and 2026 at Lekki-Ajah, Lagos.
The defendants face a three-count charge bordering on stealing. The offences are punishable under Sections 411, 287(7) and 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their counsel, Barr. Augustine Okeh, prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal terms, assuring that they would not jump bail.
The presiding Magistrate granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Facilities pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, and adjourned the case to August 19, 2026 for mention.
