Police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 44-year-old man, Nurudeen Disu, who allegedly stole 33 cows.
The defendant, who resides at Anthony Village, Lagos State, is facing a count charge of stealing before an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp. Bassey Sunday, told the court that the defendant committed the offence from 2019 to 2023 behind the Newcastle Hotel in Anthony Village.
Sunday said that the defendant conspired with others to commit the theft.
He said the defendant stole 33 cows belonging to the complainant, Mr. Bushura Adebuosu.
“The complainant gave a total of 50 cows valued at N20 million to his political son, Ibrahim Mustapha of Useni Street, Anthony village, who later employed Disu to take care of them.
“Otunba Bushura went some weeks ago to pick up the cows but discovered that the defendant had stolen 33 out of the 50 cows in his care.
“He could not give a satisfactory account of the cows.
“Disu is a herdsman who used to rear cows for residents of the community,” he said.
The police prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The magistrate, Mrs. O. A. Daodu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
She said one of the sureties must be a renowned Hausa leader in Lagos State, while the other must be a religious leader.
Daodu adjourned the case until November 6 for trial.
NAN