Man, 24, Arraigned In Lagos Court Over ₦5.8 Million Alakuko Market Break-Ins

A 24-year-old man, Micheal Abiodun, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magisterial District court for allegedly breaking into multiple shops and stealing merchandise worth millions of Naira at the Dalemo Alakuko market in Lagos State. The prosecution, led by the Commissioner of Police, filed a multi-count charge against the suspect following his arrest by officers attached to the Alakuko Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to the Police charge sheet signed by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abdulkadir Song, the defendant specialized in breaching shop doors to systematically loot local retail businesses. Court documents revealed that the suspect’s latest operation occurred on May 10, 2026, at about 0900hrs along Ojuelegba Street. The prosecution alleged that Abiodun forced his way through a shop’s main gate door to steal commercial goods, an act constituting Count I under Section 308 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Police investigations also linked Abiodun to an earlier burglary on March 26, 2026, at No. 9 Ojuelegba Street. The defendant allegedly targeted a boutique owned by Nmadu Iyke. Counts II, III, and IV outlined how the suspect broke through the boutique’s gate door and stole a massive haul of unisex jewelry valued at five million Naira (₦5,000,000).

The suspect similarly targeted a pharmaceutical shop owned by Christopher Udemba at the same No. 9 Ojuelegba Street. Counts V, VI, and VII detailed that on September 13 at about 0600hrs, Abiodun broke into the pharmacy to steal two HP laptop systems valued at ₦400,000, alongside drugs and supplements worth ₦455,000.

The total value of the stolen goods across these market raids stands at ₦5,855,000. The prosecution stated that these offenses violated Sections 280, 287, and 308 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the court for a trial date to enable the Police to prove their case.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of livelihood and tax payment. The matter was adjourned for mention, and Abiodun was remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

Commenting on the case, legal experts emphasized that the defendant is strictly presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court. Under Nigerian law, a “not guilty” plea places the entire burden of proof squarely on the state prosecution. Experts noted that while the multiple counts pose severe sentencing risks if convicted, the court will evaluate each charge independently based purely on verified evidence, ensuring a fair trial.