A 37-year-old defendant, Samuel Jeremiah on Tuesday, told an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, that he learnt invaluable lessons during his remand at the correctional service.

Mr Jeremiah made this known as his trial resumed before the Magistrate, Mrs A. Alade.

He is charged with over stealing 250 bags of sachet water and a ford transit bus.

The defendant was first arraigned on July 11, 2023 before Magistrate D.S Odukoya, on a two-count charge bordering on the offence and he had pleaded guilty to the charge.

He, however, subsequently changed his plea to not guilty during a review of facts, and was consequently, granted one million naira bail with two sureties in like sum.

Trial had since commenced, and the first prosecution witness was to appear to give evidence on Tuesday, but when the case was mentioned he was absent.

The magistrate then asked the defendant what he had learnt during his remand in custody and the defendant replied “many things.”

Asked to list at least three out of the many things he had learnt, he said: “I learnt that stealing is bad and that to take the property of another person can cause them pain. I also learnt that it is against the word of God to steal; I have learnt my lessons and I will not steal again. I also learnt how to make shoes and I will take it seriously.”

Following the absence of prosecution witness for trial, the court consequently, struck out the case for want of diligent prosecution.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly committed the offence on May 28, 2022.

Being the driver in charge of an ash coloured Ford Transit bus loaded with 250 bags of sachet water, he was said to have conspired with others who are now at large, to steal the bus and the goods.

The bus is said to be valued at N1.8 million while the water is valued at N50,000 and they belong to one Grace Womi.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

(NAN)