Up and coming actress, Yetunde Akilapa, was on Thursday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court charged with break-in and stealing valuables worth N7 million.
The 32-year-old actress at 7, Oladelola Street, in the Ketu area of Lagos and has a reputation for breaking into people’s home.
She is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on burglary and stealing to which she pleaded not guilty.
Police Prosecutor Benson Emuerhi told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 27 at No. 14/16, Mutairu Street, Shangisha, Ketu, a suburb of Lagos, at 2.10 pm.
According to him, the accused was apprehended while trying to enter the apartment of Adeboye Lamidi.
Mr Lamidi alleged that he was in his sitting room when he noticed someone was trying to open the door to his apartment with a key from outside.
Akilapa used a different key to unlock the door but was caught in the act, he said.
“I peeped through the door hole and l saw the accused trying to open my door with a key,” Lamidi said.
The prosecutor also alleged that the accused on November 16, 2015 at 3.00 pm broke into the residence of one Oyinlola Tuga by unlocking the door with a master key.
Mr Tuga, who lives at No. 39A, Ayodele Okeowo Street, Gbagada Soluyi in Lagos, reported that the accused stole jewellery, bags and other valuables worth N7 million.
“Tuga alleged that after raising alarm that his house had been burgled, his neighbours told him that they saw the accused parked her car with registration number MUS 689 CZ in front of the complainant’s house.
“They challenged her and found the stolen items and a bunch of keys on her.
“The accused was apprehended and handed over to the police at Ifako Police Station,” he said.
Akilapa came into the film industry in 2013 and acted in a Yoruba film, Ileri-Oluwa.
That year, it was reported that she was arrested for robbery by the police in Alade, Somolu area of Lagos.
She was sent to the Kirikiri Prison and after a few months, she regained her freedom in November 2013.
In January 12, 2014, she was again caught trying to steal with a bunch of master keys hidden in her brassiere at a house in Magodo Phase 2.
The offences contravened Sections 287, 307 and 308 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 307 prescribes seven years for burglary.
Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties.
Mrs Sule-Amzat said the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until October 22.
