Ex-police Officer Arraigned Over Alleged Theft Of Police Applicant’s Phone, Cash

By Nafisat Arogundade

Osun State Police command on Monday dragged a dismissed police officer, Olayiwola Felix (24), before a Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo for allegedly stealing phone and cash belonging to a police applicant during recruitment exercise.

Police Prosecutor,ASP Idoko John told the court that the accused person committed the offence on August,24,2020 at about 8:30pm at Nigeria police Headquarters Osogbo.

He alleged that the accused person did steal a bag containing one techno Camon 12 mobile phone, valued at N58,000 and cash sum of N25,000 total valued N88,000 property of one Ajibola Bolaji, a police applicant.

He stated that the offence committed by the accused person is contrary to Section 383 and punishable Under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol ll Law of Osun State 2002.

The ex-police officer pleaded not guilty to the allegation levelled against him by the police.

He told the court that he bought the phone by the roadside not knowing it was a stolen phone.

Defence Counsel, O.O Oladele applied for the bail of the accused in the most liberal term saying that the accused was still presumed innocent until contrary is proved by a court of law.

She further said that the accused person was dismissed because of the matter.

But, Prosecutor, opposed the bail application made by the Defence Counsel on the ground that the accused will tamper the investigation because, there is no proved evidence that he bought the stolen phone as he claimed.

He further argued that , he would jump bail, if granted.

Idoko informed the court that the incident happened during the recent police recruitment at the police Headquarters in Osogbo.

He disclosed that the phone was tracked down to the police Headquarters.

In his ruling, Magistrate Modupe Awodele granted the accused bail in the sum N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

The case thereby adjourned till November 9, for hearing.