Sexagenarian remanded for armed robbery in Lagos

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A 61- year – old man , Rotimi Ariremako , has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly belonging to an armed robbery gang that reportedly stole a bus filled with goods valued at N 15m .

Ariremako , whose residential address was not given, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on two counts bordering on armed robbery.

The police prosecutor , Michael Unah , told the court that the defendant committed the offences with others still at large on November 9 , 2018 .

According to the prosecutor , the defendant and his gang attacked the driver of a J5 bus with number plate EPE 476 UX , which was en route Jos from Lagos .

Unah said , “On getting to Ile-Ife , Osun State, the robbers attacked the driver and made away with the bus as well as the goods contained in it to an unknown destination.

“ They also took the driver’ s phone , which was used in tracking down the suspect . ”

In his defence , Ariremako , who claimed to be a scrap collector , said he picked the phone from the ground without a SIM card in it , adding that he did not make a report at the police station for fear of being tagged a thief.

The police prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 297 ( 1 ) and 297 (2 )(a ) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State , 2015 .

The charges read , “ That you , Rotimi Ariremako , and others now at large, on November 9 , 2018 , around 5 . 30pm along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway , in the Lagos Magisterial District , did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit ; armed robbery.

“ That you , Rotimi Ariremako , and others still at large, on the same date , time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did rob one J5 bus with number plate EPE 476 UX , conveying 169 cartons of different goods made up of eight cartons of new shoes ; 150 cartons of Action Bitters; three cartons of hair attachment; three cartons of plate ; two sacks of men boxers; and other goods with total value of N 15, 000 , 000 , properties of one Ekwu Otukpa . ”

The plea of the defendant was not taken .

The presiding magistrate , Mr A. A. Fashola, remanded Ariremako in prison custody and ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice .

He adjourned the case till April 8 , 2019 .