Police arraign 7 for allegedly stealing  employer’s N16.1m 

By Tobi Adetunji

Seven men on Friday appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly stealing raw material worth N16.1 million belonging to their employer.

The defendants, Emmanuel Ifeanyi,25, Okoma Emmanuel, 23, Anifowoshe Kayode, 59, Usman Friday, 24, Ramon Taofeeq, 32, Hammed Afolabi, 22, and Idikobori Peter, 30, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a three-count charge of stealing, burglary, conspiracy.

The prosecutor, Insp Abdulkareem Mustapha,told the court that the defendants and others still at large, committed the offences on Feb.22 at about 1.30am at Poly Product Company, Idiroko Road,Ota.

Mustapha said the defendants,being staff of the company, conspired among themselves to break  and enter into the premises of the factory to steal raw material valued at N16.1 million.

He said that the defendant were apprehended by the company security and handed over to the police.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9) 413 and 516 of the Criminal Code,Laws of Ogun,2006.

They, however,pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate,Mr O.L Oke, granted N500,000 bail to each of the defendant with a surety each in like sum.

Ok ordered that the surety must resides within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.

The case was adjourned until March 8 for further hearing.