The police exhibit keeper attached to
the zonal criminal investigation
department at Zone 2, Command
Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos Island,
southwest Nigeria, Inspector Samuel
Chukwu, 56, has been arraigned
before an Igbosere Magistrate's Court
on a three-count charge of forgery
and stealing the sum of N4.6 million
being the monetary exhibits in his
custody.
The police prosecution alleged in
charge No. B/42/2012 that the
accused was arrested by the Zone 2
Police Command after they audited
and took stock of all the items in their
exhibit room in accordance with the
standard rules and regulations and
discovered that the money he kept as
exhibit was missing.
During interrogation, the accused
allegedly could not give satisfactory
account of the missing money in his
custody as the officer in charge of
exhibits.
The police further stated in the
charge sheet that the accused forged
the signatures of officers of the zonal
criminal investigation department of
Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos to
steal the money.
The prosecutor, Inspector Marcus
Okon stated that the offence is
contrary to sections 73 and 353 and
punishable under section 73 (1), 363
(3) (h) and 285 (6) of the criminal
laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.
One of the count reads: "that you,
Samuel Chukwu on the same date,
time and place in the aforesaid
magisterial district, did steal the sum
of N4.6 million at the Nigeria Police
Force, Zone 2 Command
Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos
knowing same to be monetary
exhibits under your custody."
The accused pleaded not guilty to the
charges and the presiding magistrate,
Mrs. Abegunde Davies admitted him
to bail in the sum of N500,000 with
two sureties each in like sum who
must show proof of tax payment to
Lagos State government.
She adjourned the matter for
mentioning.
The defendant was ordered to be
remanded in Ikoyi prison pending
when he meets the bail conditions.
--Paul Iyoghojie
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