‘Gangs behind two break-ins’
TWO violent break-ins at properties in Ozanköy and Lefkoşa last week were the work of rival Nigerian gangs suspected of being involved in money-laundering, Girne District Court heard on Monday.
The claim was made by police officer Ömer Faruk Şengil, who told Judge Mesut Mesutoğlu that investigations into the incidents had uncovered “evidence” of the illegal activity.
The court heard how at 5am on New Year’s Eve Wasiu Babatunde Sotoy, accompanied by “four black males”, forced his way into a house in Ozanköy.
The gang “beat up” two men, believed to be university students, who were inside the property, using “wooden sticks and iron bars”, and then stole 520 euros and 195TL in cash that had been lying on a table, the court was told.
They forced their victims to lie face down, threatening to “kill” them if they “lifted their heads”.
Sotoy admitted charges of burglary, breaking and entering, trespass, causing deliberate damage and possession of an offensive weapon, but rejected a charge of robbery. He was remanded in custody for eight days. Mr Şengil said that there had been “similar complaints” made against Sotoy at police stations in Boğaz and in Lefkoşa. He said four other suspects were still wanted in connection with the Ozanköy crime.
The attack came just four days after a similar incident occurred at an address in the capital. Two Nigerian nationals, Hammed Babatunde Owolabi and Ebenezer Shina Akinsoyinu, appeared before Lefkoşa District Court on Tuesday to face charges of causing deliberate damage, theft, trespass, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
They broke into a flat and attacked students and countrymen Emanuel Suny Frenk and Latonna Williams Igwilo, the court heard, before helping themselves to $3,000 in cash and speakers worth $400.
The men were arrested two days later after being spotted in Girne. They were remanded in custody for three days following Tuesday’s hearing.