Police arraign man for ‘stealing over 300 cows’ in Lagos

The Lagos command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arraigned one Muhammed Abubakar for allegedly stealing 377 cows.

The 40-year-old was arraigned on Monday at a magistrates court in the Badagry area of Lagos. 

The defendant is facing a two-count charge of felony and stealing. 

Abubakar, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Clement Okuoimose, the prosecutor, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on January 10, 2023 at about 10.00.a.m. in Apa town, Badagry.

Okuoimose said the defendant conspired with others to commit a felony.

The police prosecutor said the defendant stole 125 cows belonging to one James Azonadu and another 252 owned by one Towowede Hoteyin.

Okuoimose said the cows were left in the care of Abubakar, a peripatetic herder.  

“The defendant also stole another 252 cows belonging to Chief Towowede Hoteyin, another complainant,” NAN quoted Okuoimose as saying. 

“Abubakar is a Fulani herdsman who used to rear cows for residents of the town.”

The police prosecutor said Abubakar allegedly sold all the cows and fled

“He decided to sell all the cows put in his care and ran away. The defendant was later apprehended and handed over to police for prosecution,” he said. 

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos 2015.

Fadahunsi Adefioye, the chief magistrate, granted the defendant’s bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adefioye said one of the sureties must be a renowned Hausa leader in Lagos while the other must be a religious leader in Lagos.

The judge adjourned the case to October 12 for mention.