BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
An Ebonyi State-based businessman, Kelechi Sober, has been robbed by a gang of teenagers who invaded his business premises recently and carted away goods worth N7.2 million.
The gang, allegedly led by one John Kosisochukwu John, stole the goods from Sober’s supermarket located on Waterworks Road, Abakaliki, on September 12, 2021.
The stolen items, according to records, included 90 pieces of wrappers valued at N450, 000; 178 pieces of jewelries valued N1.6 million; 53 bottles of assorted wine valued at N1.3 million; 67 packets of assorted beverages valued at N227,800; and 80 pieces of perfume valued at N640,000.
Others are 33 pairs of shoes, valued at N600, 000; 68 pairs of slippers valued at N476, 000.00; 103 pieces of singlet valued at N515, 000.00; 200 pairs of boxers, valued at N500, 000; and 79 pieces of shirts valued at N869, 000.
The police recently prosecuted Kosisochukwu, alongside his co-conspirators who are now at large, in a suit marked MAB/643c/2021, for his alleged involvement in the shoplifting.
He was arraigned on a three-count-charge bordering on felony and stealing, which were said to be punishable under sections 516A (a), 413a and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
The charges read, “That John Kosisochukwu and others at large on the 12th day of September 2021, at Anan Oil Supermarkets, Abakaliki in the Abakaliki Magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33 Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
“That John Kosisochukwu and others at large on the same day and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did break into a supermarket belonging to one Prince Kelechi Sober and committed felony there in and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 413A of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
“That John Kosisochukwu and others at large on the same day and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did steal 90 wrappers valued at N450,000 (Four hundred and fifty thousand naira); 178 (One hundred and seventy eight) pieces of jewelries valued at N 1,602,000 (One million six hundred and two thousand naira); 53 bottles of assorted wine valued at N1,325,000 (One million three hundred and twenty five thousand naira); 67 packets assorted beverages valued at N227,800 (Two hundred and twenty seven thousand eight hundred naira); and 80 pieces of perfumes valued at N640,000 (Six hundred and forty thousand naira).
“Thirty three pairs of shoes valued at N600,000 (Six hundred thousand naira); 68 pairs of slippers valued at N476,000 (Four hundred and seventy six thousand naira); 103 pieces of singlet valued at N515,000 (Five hundred and fifteen thousand naira); 200 pieces of boxers valued at N500,000 (Five hundred thousand naira), 79 pieces of shirts valued at N869,000.00 (Eight hundred and sixty nine thousand); totalling N7,204,800 (Seven million two hundred and four thousand eight hundred naira) properties of Prince Kelechi Sober and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.”
The trial magistrate, Blessing Ibeabuchi-Chukwu, however, granted him a bail bond of N1million and one surety in like sum.
The surety, who must be a reasonable adult resident within the jurisdiction of the trial court, is mandated to present evidences of tax payment for the last three years. He, together with the accused person, must also deposit their recent, full-length photographs with the court, and with their addresses verified.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for hearing.
