A 24-year-old applicant, Samson Ojowuro, on Monday faced Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court, for reportedly stealing N68,700 to play Bet9ja game.

The defendant, a resident of No. 125, Ayobo Road, by Oja Bus Stop in Ipaja Lagos, was arraigned on a count charge of stealing, but he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the police prosecutor, Sgt. Kenrich Nomayo, the 24-year-old stole the sum given to him by one Mr Adebola Farimu to save in his account on May 20 at 9:00am at Ipaja Market, Ipaja.

Nomayo admitted that Ojowuro diverted the money into his personal use.

“The defendant confessed to the police to have used the money to play Bet9ja,” the prosecutor said.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Israel Adelakun, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

Adelakun ruled that the surety must be gainful employed and have evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until June 24 for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stealing contravenes Section 287 of the Criminal Law of the Lagos State, 2015, and punishable with three years imprisonmen