2 men in court over alleged theft

The Police on Monday arraigned two men, Nelson Adewale, 33 and Mutiu Ogunsanya, 40 before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a Mark Truck.

The truck is loaded with iron rods valued at N23 million as of the time of the stealing.

The defendants, whose residential addresses were not given, are facing a two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, alleged the defendants conspired and stole their employer’s Mark Truck with registration number JJJ-523-XQ worth N12 million and loaded with 40 tons of 10mm iron rods valued at N11 million, totalling N23 million.

The truck and the goods in it are the property of the complainant, one Mr Jimoh Atofolakin.

Umerhi told the court that the defendants committed the offence, with others still at large, on Nov. 25, 2020, about 4.30 p.m. along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

The prosecutor submitted that the defendants could not give a satisfactory answer to the disappearance of the truck loaded with the iron rods.

He said that the alleged offence violates sections 287 (5)(a)(7) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

Reports state that stealing from an employer is punishable with seven years jail term while conspiracy attracts two years imprisonment for offenders.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs J.A. Adegun, admitted the defendants to N100, 000 bail each with one surety each in like sum.

Adegun ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until March 15 for trial.