Woman Faces Jail over Theft of 99 iPhones at MMIA

Matilda Omonaiye/

Detectives in Lagos have exploited the power of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) to nail a woman who allegedly stole 99 iPhones found missing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Sixty-year-old Adenike Okunbanjo was on Monday arraigned at an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing the 99 pieces of iPhones worth N14.85 million.

The defendant, a businesswoman who resides at 1, Alade St., Temidire, Ibafo, Ogun State, is charged with conspiracy and theft.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the offense was committed on January 16, 2017, at Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Akeem said that the iPhones were flown to Lagos from the U.S. by a businessman, Mr. Bolaji Ogunsanya, to be delivered to someone named “Mr. Azeez” in Lagos.

The prosecutor said that the consignment arrived in Lagos but got missing at the airport and all efforts to locate it failed.

Akeem said that the complainant furnished the police with the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of all the phones.

According to the prosecutor, one of the IMEI of the phone was traced to the defendant and she was tracked and arrested.

Akeem added that on searching her house, four of the iPhones were found.

The offense, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. B. O Osunsanmi, granted the defendant bail of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

Osunsanmi adjourned the case until September 28 for mention.

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