2 Teenagers Arraigned Over Alleged ₦4.5m Store Breaking And Theft At Trade Fair Complex

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

Two teenagers, Mustapha Amada, 18, and Kazeem Umar, 18, were arraigned at the Ojo Magistrate Court over allegations of conspiracy, store breaking and theft of goods worth ₦4,575,000 at Modern New Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

The defendants were brought before Court 30 on May 6, 2026 with Charge No. 03/1/75/26. The matter was heard before the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. LK.J. Layeni. Both accused persons were listed as traders within the Trade Fair area.

According to the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, the alleged incident occurred between April 23, 2026 and April 30, 2026 during night hours at Modern New Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District. Police said the period covered several nights.

The complainant named in the charge was Nwankwo Isaac Emenike. He is said to own a store at Modern New Market where the alleged break-in occurred. The store is located within the Trade Fair Complex, a major hub for electronics and household goods.

Count 1 alleged that Mustapha Amada, Kazeem Umar and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: store breaking and stealing. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Count 2 alleged that the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place, did break and enter into the store of Nwankwo Isaac Emenike with intent to commit a felony therein. This offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 310 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Count 3 alleged that the defendants and others at large stole 58 cartons of manual vegetable grinder valued at Four Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira, ₦4,575,000, property of Nwankwo Isaac Emenike. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287(5)(f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The case was reported at Trade Fair Police Station under ASP CSP Elebute Olabisi, DPO Trade Fair Division. The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge sheet was Inspector Yunisa Monday.

When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Uche Simeon, asked the Court give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr. LKJ Layeni granted them bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties. The bail conditions included tax clearance and address verification as contained in the court record. The sureties are expected to reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The matter was adjourned  for further hearing. The defendants were to remain in custody at the Correctional Center pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

Trade Fair Complex is one of Lagos’ major commercial markets known for wholesale and retail of household and electronic items. Security operatives and traders have called for increased night patrols to curb break-ins. The allegations in the charge sheet remain accusations and under Nigerian law, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.