Soldiers, Student Arraigned for Stealing N42m Lagos, MTN Solar Panel, Batteries

Pat Steven/

Three dismissed soldiers, a dismissed Air Force Officer, a student and three others were dragged to court by the police in Lagos today for allegedly stealing solar panels and batteries belonging to the state government and MTN telecommunications.

Identified as Samuel Ani, Ifedayo Odufuye, Michael Omerede, Chibuze Nnamani, Philip Emmanuel Efosa, Ex private Sulaimon Usman, ex private Olalekan Sunday, and ex private Olafide Busayo were arraigned at the Ikeja magistrates court on a 4-count charge bordering on armed robbery and conspiracy.
According to court papers, the suspects, had conspired to steal the items along Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, Okemagba, Mojada area of Epe and Badagry areas of Lagos.
They were also accused of using guns to rob, at about 2am, at the Sangotedo Elere along Ajah-Epe Expressway, where 120 pieces of backup batteries valued at N212, 000 each, totaling N32, 640, 000 were stolen.

Sixty nine pieces of solar panel batteries at N140, 000 each, and a total value of N42, 699, 000 being property of IPT power Tech/MTN telecommunications were also stolen.

The gang was also accused of committing armed robbery at Sitogbethrome Junior Secondary School, Badagry. They allegedly stole 24 pieces of solar panels valued at N352, 000 each and a total value of N2, 370, 000 being property of Ministry of Education Lagos State Government.