Lekki Court Jails Event Centre Theft Convict For 30 Months

A Lagos magistrate court has sentenced 33-year-old Kelvin Boniface to 30 months in prison after he admitted to stealing an Infinix Hot 10i phone, a bag and a laptop at an event centre in Lekki, according to police and court records.

The judgment was delivered by Magistrate A.O. Alogba at the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting in Tinubu, Lagos Island. Boniface was convicted on a three-count charge that included conspiracy and stealing after he entered a guilty plea.

Police said the case began after a theft incident at an event venue inside Lilygate Hotel, 2 Olubunmi Owa Street, Lekki Phase I. The matter was investigated by officers attached to the Maroko Division in Lekki.

Inspector Magaji Haruna, the police prosecutor, told the court that Boniface and another suspect who is still at large gained access to a strictly invitation-only party. Organisers initially believed both men were invited guests and did not challenge them at entry.

Haruna said Boniface then moved to a charging point used by guests and took an Infinix Hot 10i valued at N150,000. He said the suspect also collected a bag and laptop and passed those two items to his accomplice, who headed toward a different exit.

According to the prosecutor, security personnel became suspicious and raised an alert. The accomplice escaped through Exit Gate 2 after dropping the bag and laptop, while Boniface was stopped at Exit Gate 1 with the phone allegedly found on him.

Police said Boniface was handed over to Maroko officers after a distress call from the venue’s security team. During investigation, Haruna said CCTV review linked the convict to similar theft operations in Abuja and the Ajah axis of Lagos before he moved locations.

The prosecution said the offences contravened Sections 411, 406 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. In her ruling, Magistrate Alogba sentenced Boniface to two years and six months in prison with no option of fine.

Police authorities said efforts are continuing to identify and arrest the fleeing accomplice.

The case has again drawn attention to security arrangements at high-traffic social venues in Lagos, especially invitation-only events where organisers depend on private guards and rapid response by nearby police formations to stop theft and recover property.