Man in court for stealing bottle of Champagne

A 25-year-old man, Ramon Mogaji, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing a bottle of Champagne from Walter Ndu and subsequently stabbed him.It was alleged that Mogaji and his accomplices who are now at large attacked Ndu at Onikan roundabout while he was waiting for a taxi on December 16 at about 11.20pm.Apart from stealing the wine, Mogaji was accused of dispossessing Ndu of 200, N20,000, a wristwatch valued N85,000 and a passport.It was further alleged that Mogaji stabbed Ndu with a knife in his right hand for putting up resistance during the attack.The charge sheet reads in part, That you, Ramon Mogaji, and others now at large within the Lagos magisterial district conspired among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and unlawful assault.The accused is facing three counts of conspiracy to commit felony, stealing and assault.The charge sheet stated that the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 516, 355 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges.His lawyer, Mr. Darnell Abbe, asked the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.I urge this court to grant Mogaji bail in the most liberal terms. I rely on the provisions of the law which presumes the accused innocent until the otherwise is proven, Abbe said.However, the prosecutor, Mr. Innocent Odugbo, urged the court to grant the accused bail on stringent terms.The accused is of no fixed address. He refused to give the police his residential address during the course of investigation and up till now. Granting him bail on liberal conditions might affect prosecution. I urge the court to grant him bail on stringent terms so as to ensure his continued presence at court sittings, Odugbo said.Magistrate O. A. Adegite granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reasonable sureties in like sum.She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and must furnish the court with verifiable home and business addresses.The case has been adjourned till January 12, 2012 for mention
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