A fisherman, Yonrenfun Edito, was charged to a Yaba Magistrates’ court in Lagos for allegedly stealing an engine fitted fishing boat worth N500,000.

According to the News agency of Nigeria, he was docked on Wednesday in the court. The police charged Edito, who resides in Iwaya Area Yana, Lagos with breach of peace and theft.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Police prosecutor, Sgt Godwin Oriabure, disclosed to the court that the defendant committed the offence at 1.45a.m. on Oct. 5, at Iwaya Waterfront in Yaba, Lagos.

Oriabure said the defendant stole his neighbour’s fishing boat worth N500,000 and tried to escape with it.

He added that when the complainant, Mr Adof Amusa, realised his fishing boat was missing, he mobilised his fellow fishermen to pursue the defendant with their boats.

Oriabure said the defendant was caught with the boat in the middle of the sea and handed over to the dock security.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 168 (d) and 287 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

NAN reported that Section 287 (1) stipulated three years imprisonment for the offence of stealing while breach of peace carried three months jail term.

Chief Magistrate A.O. Salawu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Salawu said both sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State Government.

She added that one of the sureties must have a landed property in the court’s jurisdiction and both sureties must submit their passport photographs to the court. The case was adjourned until October 15 for mention.