Seven persons have appeared before an llorin Magistrate Court, charged with belonging to a gang that steals motorcycles in the llorin metroplis and the environs.

The accused are Wasiu Isiak, 25 of Oloje Area; Abidini Saliu, 20 of AdetaArea; Isiakalyanda, 25 of Oloje Area; MusaPakuta, 28 of Ita-Ogunbo Area; Taye Isola, 20 of Oke-Ebo Area; Abdul-Ganiyu Olarewaju, 25 of Pakata Area and SKamaldeen Abdul-Kareem, 25 of Pakata Area all in llorin, Kwara State.

They appeared in court on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property. The offences contravene Sections 97,288 and 317 of Penal Code Law.

Trouble began for the accused following a complaint at 'G' Division Police Station, Oloje llorin, by one Abdulateef Rafiu of Anifowoshe Area, llorin that his Jincheng Motorcycles with engine number PBB1A25404 and Chasis number HOBS099263 was stole in his house.

Following the incident, on July 5, 2012 a team of detectives attached to surveillance section, 'G' Division, Oloje, Ilorin, who were on an intensive patrol, along Oloje Area, Ilorin, allegedly intercepted Wasiu Isiaka (first accused), Isiaka lyanda (third accused) and Musa pakuta (fourth accused) along with two Jincheng Motorcycles.

Police First Information Report (FIR) on the matter stated that during the course of investigation the accused confessed to have conspired and stole the Motorcycles of the complainant.

The FIR added that when search warrants were executed in their various house and premises six Jincheng Motorcycles were recovered.

The FIR stated further that investigation revealed that Musa Pakuta (fourth accused) is in the habit of receiving the stolen Motorcycles. He (Musa) would vandalized them, changed the part with a view to defaced them from been identified by the owners.

According to the FIR, when search was conducted in his house and premises, three Jincheng Motorcycles, vandalized Motorcycles engine, Court affidavit, two defaced motorcycles, two motorcycles frame, Motorcycles particulars were recovered.

The FIR added that discreet investigation revealed further that the gang were notorious syndicate of thieves who specialized in stolen motor vehicle in oloje

The prosecutor, Inspector James Odaudu objected to the bail of the accused and urged the court to remand them in the prison custody, Ilorin, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the matter.

The prosecutor submitted further that the alleged offences were not ordinarily bailable and that if the accused were admitted to bail they would jump bail since they have known the gravity of the offences allegedly committed by them, which in turn would jeopadise the investigation.

The defence counsel, Barrister Toyin Onaolapo prayed the court to admit the accused to bail pending trial. He submitted that the accused would not jump bail and would provide reliable sureties to ensure there presence in court at the every adjourned date.

The trial magistrate, Mrs. Mercy Abikoye upheld the submission of the defence and granted bail to the accused each.

Culled from The Herald