Two employees of SPAR Supermarket on Victoria Island, on Thursday appeared before the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court for stealing five phones worth N830,000.

The defendants are Prince Njoku, a 31-year-old security guard, and Babalola Damilola, a 32-year-old kitchen supervisor.

They are charged with conspiracy and stealing but pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, ASP Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on January 20 at SPAR Supermarket on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island.

Mr Ekundayo said the defendants conspired to steal the phones after the close of work.

“The CSO attached to the supermarket reported that, after they had closed work for the day, the two workers used screwdrivers and opened the supermarket’s store window and stole five phones.

“The management, after some days, discovered the theft when it was obvious that some phones were missing,” he said.

The prosecutor said the management discovered the theft from closed-circuit TV camera footage showing Njoku picking up some phones.

“He confessed to stealing three Tecno phones and two Samsung phones. Damilola was the one who gave him the screwdriver which he used to open the window of the store.

“They have sold two phones and shared the money,” he added.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, Mr M.E. Owumi, granted the defendants N100,000 bail each with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate adjourned the case until February 29 for mention. 

(NAN)