The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that no case of theft was established against Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin-Lawal, who had been accused of stealing gold at the Oba Akintoye Market in the Lagos Island area. The confirmation came on Friday through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, who clarified that the accusations made against the actress were a mistake of facts.
According to Hundeyin, during the police investigation, it was revealed that the gold seller had provided the wrong account number for the transaction. “There was no case of stealing to start with; our investigation revealed that the seller of the goods gave the wrong account number,” he said, noting that only one digit of the ten-digit account number was incorrect. Lizzy Anjorin-Lawal had transferred the amount, approximately N90,000, to the wrong account as provided by the seller.
Hundeyin also explained that after the misunderstanding was cleared up, the sellers admitted that Anjorin-Lawal was not at fault. “But when it turned out that it was a mistake of facts and that they called her a thief in error, Lizzy took the assault meted out against her up,” the PPRO added. After the suspects were arrested and the case went to court, Anjorin-Lawal decided to withdraw the case for reasons known only to her.
The police investigation further clarified that Anjorin-Lawal had made a second transfer to the correct account once the error was realized. Hundeyin said, “Lizzy transferred what she was supposed to transfer, which was about N90,000, into the wrong account that she was given and there was a receipt. When it was becoming too hot, she again transferred money to the correct account number they gave her.” This showed that the actress had taken steps to rectify the situation, despite the fact that the original mistake was not hers.
The PPRO emphasized that the police had found no evidence of stealing during their probe. “Lizzy Anjorin-Lawal was not culpable of stealing as she did not engage in stealing according to our investigation,” Hundeyin affirmed, debunking any allegations that had circulated in the media.
The controversy had first erupted when a viral video showed Anjorin-Lawal being accused of theft by traders at the market. The video sparked public outrage and widespread discussions online, leading to a series of arrests. PUNCH Online reported in February 2024 that six traders had been apprehended in connection with the assault and charged before the Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos Island Local Government.
The six traders—Qudus Jokogbola, Suru Olawale, Edu Shakirat, Fausat Mohammed, Kafayat Ahmed, and Opere Simiat Morenike—were accused of assaulting and blackmailing the actress during her visit to the market to purchase gold. Two other suspects in the case were reported to be at large.
The prosecution, led by Sola Samuel, accused the defendants of conspiring to commit the offence, alleging they forcefully pushed and dragged Anjorin-Lawal, causing her grievous bodily harm inside the market. The prosecution also claimed that their actions had caused a breach of public peace. The charges contravened Sections 411, 413, 168(d), and 170(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, all defendants pleaded not guilty. Their defense lawyer, Ade Oshodi, argued that the defendants were simply traders and requested that the court grant them bail under the most liberal terms. Magistrate A.A. Paul, presiding over the case, granted bail to each of the six defendants in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each, who must be a Lagos resident with proof of tax payment.
As the case proceeds, the defendants have been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services until they meet their bail conditions. However, the withdrawal of the case by Anjorin-Lawal has left many questions unanswered about the reasons behind the altercation and the subsequent legal proceedings.
In the meantime, the actress, who was visibly shaken by the accusations and the subsequent assault, has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, and the police have officially closed the investigation into the alleged theft.
