A Barrister, one Atanda Olatunji, posted this on her Facebook page on Friday. The post is a warning to two category of people. One, people who buy used articles from second hand users. Articles like used phones, jewelries and others without receipts. The other is people who collect gift from people of questionable character or who you know cannot afford such gifts.
READ THE POST BELOW
This morning on my way out, I wanted to withdraw small money from the POS Kiosk near the road.
While I was standing there, the Police came and wanted to arrest the POS girl.
First, i introduced my self and I humbly demand that they show me their ID cards so as to confirm they are real Police Officer’s.
With humility, I still ask for the reason why they want to arrest her.
I was told there is a report against her, that she is in possession of a Stolen iPhone XR.
The POS girl quickly replied that the phone was given to her as a Birthday Gift by her Boyfriend.
At this point, I had to let the Police take her away for further investigation.
Under the Law, a person in possession of a stolen item is Presumed to be a Thief.
The offence of been in possession of a stolen item is a criminal offence, according to Section 427 of the Criminal Code Act
Even when you buy a stolen item, you can be subjected to arrest and interrogation by the Police until it is proven beyond reasonable doubt, that you have no idea that the item was stolen.
Be very careful in collecting Gift from people, especially people you don’t know their source of income
You are expected to be careful before you buy used goods. A person buying used goods or what we called ‘fairly used’ goods should demand receipts of such goods and proof of ownership of such goods before buying
To before warn, is to before harm
ignorantia juris non excusat
I am Atanda Olatunji
————————-
OGUNGBAIYE v. FRN (2022) LPELR-57269(CA
