I wasn’t in my senses during operation – Suspected burglar

A 22-year-old man, Jamiu Labara, who is standing trial before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court over an alleged burglary, has pleaded guilty to the offence, saying he was not in his senses when he burgled a shop in the Oniwaya area of Agege.

Labara had been arraigned before a magistrate, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe, on four counts of burglary and assault, but he pleaded not guilty of assault.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Labara had attacked the shop at about 5am on March 18. He reportedly inflicted injuries on the head of a resident identified as Olatunmise Odubite, who confronted him during the operation.

The police said Labara and his accomplices, who were at large, fled with 10 packs of scrabble game, 21 toys, 23 photo frames, 18 wall clocks, snacks, among other items which were valued at about N200,000.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Joseph Ajebe, told the court on Wednesday that the charges preferred against the defendant were punishable under sections 171, 285 and 307 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The charges read, “That you, Jamiu Labara, and others at large, on March 18, 2016 at about 5am on Oniwaya Road, Dopemu, Agege, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal 10 packs of scramble game worth N35,000, 21 toys valued at N28,700, 23 photo frames valued at N73,300, 11 decorative flowers worth N28,600, 18 wall clocks worth N41,800 and snacks valued at N18,000 – all property of Mrs. Afusat Taiwo.

“That you, Jamiu Labara, did assault one Olatunmise Odubote by using a sharp object to inflict injuries on his head, which caused him bodily harm, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant admitted to the first three counts but pleaded not guilty to the fourth count, which bordered on assault.

He told the court that all the items had been recovered from him, adding that he was not in a good state of mind before he took to burglary.

He said, “It is true I stole the items from the shop but I did not take them away. I was arrested at the scene of the crime. I am sorry. I was not in my senses. I did not burgle the shop intentionally. I was holding an object but I didn’t injure anybody.”

The presiding magistrate adjourned the case till July 8, 2016 for fact and sentence.