Three Men, One Crime: The Mystery Of The Stolen Phones Worth N899,000

In a shocking case of betrayal on the road, three men accused of turning a taxi ride into a nightmare for unsuspecting passengers were on Friday hauled before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Isabo.

The accused – Sunday Osisanya, 45; Saheed Sodipe, 42; and Isikilu Oyedele, 38 – are facing an eight-count charge, including conspiracy, theft, and assault, after allegedly dispossessing five passengers of high-end smartphones valued at a whopping N899,000.

According to police prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, the trio allegedly operated under the guise of taxi drivers across various parts of Abeokuta between March and May, targeting victims and vanishing with their gadgets.

Among their alleged loot: A Vivo phone worth N200,000 from Comfort Olanrewaju, an Itel W6004P (N35,000) from Kehinde Tiamiyu, a Samsung Galaxy A05 (N114,000) from Morolake Ibitoye, a Samsung A06 (N170,000) from Rosemary John, a Tecno Spark (N280,000) from Akintobi Oluwabunmi and another Tecno Spark (N100,000) from Abosede Olude.

But the alleged crime spree didn’t stop at theft. One victim, Olanrewaju, was reportedly pushed out of the moving vehicle after her phone was taken, adding assault to the long list of charges.

The offences, police say, violate Sections 516, 390(9), and 252 of Ogun State’s criminal code.

The three suspects pleaded not guilty, but the courtroom drama continued as Magistrate Dr. Babajide Ilo granted them bail at N500,000 each, with two sureties—one of whom must be a relative with a developed property in Abeokuta.

The case has been adjourned to June 6 for hearing, as victims and residents alike await justice in what’s becoming a disturbing pattern of urban crime.