LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – 43-Year-Old Benjamin Osobagie has admitted to breaking into and robbing a house in order to acquire money to participate in the Nigerian Idol music competition.
Osobagie was arraigned before Magistrate L.A Owolabi on 29 March facing a two-count charge bordering on theft and felony at a Magistrate’s court in Ikeja.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
“My passion for music has made me look for ways to get money to participate in a music competition.
“I have 5 tracks in Cds already, what I need is sponsors to go for Nigerian Idol,” he said.
Osobagie cried out for his inability to reach out to artists already thriving in the music industry because of his lack of a telephone to access the internet.
He explained further: “I don’t have a phone which is my challenge. Whenever I try to talk to people in the street or vicinity for help, they bullshit me like I’m a lunatic.
“I am helpless because there is no family to help, I lost my flash with all my music tracks on the street of Ikeja”.
The defendant stated that he has been frequently carried off the streets by operatives of a rehabilitation center but no help has come his way.
According to the prosecutor, Mr. Christopher John, the offence committed is punishable under Section 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The charge reads: “Count 1: That you Benjamin Osobagie ‘m’ and others now at large on the 16th day of March 2023, at about 1315 hrs at Ikeja by Otedola Crescent GRA Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire with others now at large to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of Criminal Laws Of Lagos State 2015.
“Count 2: That you Benjamin Osobagie ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal twenty (24) Ghanaian Cedes convert to Nigeria Currency is 350,000.00 (three hundred and fifty Thousand naira only) one sim card culter and charger and hereby committed an offense punishable under Section 287 of Criminal Laws Of Lagos State, 2015.
Magistrate granted Osobagie bail of N75,000 with two sureties, with one being a blood relation of the defendant.
The case was adjourned till 14 April, 2023 for mention.
