Blame It On The Weed Suspected burglar says he was not in his senses when he committed crime

A 22-year-old man who was arraigned a Lagos Magistrates' Court on

charges bordering on theft and burglary , Jamiu Labara, pleaded guilty

to the offence, claiming he was not in his senses when he burgled a

shop in the Oniwaya area of Agege, reports Punch.

Labara who was docked before Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe , however,

pleaded not guilty of assault.

It was gathered that Labara and his partners who are now at large, had

attacked the shop at about 5am on March 18, 2016, and in the process,

inflicted injuries on the head of a resident identified as Olatunmise

Odubite , who confronted him during the operation.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Joseph Ajebe , told the court that

Labara and his accomplices, fled with 10 packs of scrabble games, 21

toys, 23 photo frames, 18 wall clocks, snacks, among other items which

were valued at about N200,000, adding that the charges preferred

against the accused were punishable under sections 171, 285 and 307

(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The charges read:

"That you, Jamiu Labara, and others at large, on March 18, 2016, at

about 5am on Oniwaya Road, Dopemu, Agege, in the Lagos Magisterial

District, did steal 10 packs of scramble game worth N35,000, 21 toys

valued at N28,700, 23 photo frames valued at N73,300, 11 decorative

flowers worth N28,600, 18 wall clocks worth N41,800 and snacks valued

at N18,000, all property of Mrs. Afusat Taiwo.

That you, Jamiu Labara, did assault one Olatunmise Odubote by using a

sharp object to inflict injuries on his head, which caused him bodily

harm, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 171 of

the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011."

Labara admitted to the first three counts but pleaded not guilty to

the fourth count, which bordered on assault.

He told the court that all the items had been recovered from him,

adding that he was not in a good state of mind before he took to

burglary » .

"It is true I stole the items from the shop but I did not take them

away. I was arrested at the scene of the crime. I am sorry. I was not

in my senses. I did not burgle the shop intentionally. I was holding

an object but I didn't injure anybody."

Magistrate Komolafe, however, adjourned the case till July 8, 2016 for

fact and sentence.