A 26-year-old man, Soji Owowa, had been arraigned at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing his employer’s minibus worth N3.2 million.
The suspect appeared before Magistrate Patrick Nwaka on Thursday, August 10 and was charged with two counts of theft. Owowa was alleged to have sold the N3.2m bus for N550,000.
The prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen, holding a brief for Haruna Magaji told the court that the defendant committed the crime on March 30, 2023, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
He further disclosed that the defendant ran away with the minibus, with number plate EPE 283 YG, to Ibadan where he planned with his friend and sold it without the consent of his employer, Why Worry Transport and Logistics Limited.
The 26-year-old was alleged to have collected N89,000 while his friend, who is still at large, took the rest of the money.
According to Nurudeen, the offences contravened and are punishable under Sections 411, and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.
The charge read in part; “That you, Soji Owowa, and others now at large on March 30, 2023, in the Lekki area of Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.
“That you, Soji Owowa, and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did steal a minibus with number plate EPE 283 YG valued at N3.2m, property of Why Worry Transport and Logistics Limited and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
Soji, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following his not-guilty plea, Nwaka admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. He also adjourned the case till December 4, 2023, for mention.
In related news…
The Lagos state police arraigned a 45-year-old lawyer, Kelvin Abiodun-Olu at a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos Island for allegedly stealing N19.2 million.
Abiodun-Olu who appeared before Magistrate T. O. Babalola, on Wednesday was also accused of destroying property worth N7.5 million.
The defendant was charged with five-counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage, assault, and breach of peace.
The prosecutor, ASP Francis Igbenose, told the court that the defendant and his alleged accomplices committed the offences between 28th of January and February 4th, 2023.
According to Igbenose, the incident took place at about 11pm at No. 34b, Talabi Street, Boet Estate, ABC Bus Stop, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos.
He alleged that Olu and others at large “stole two Crocodile shoes valued at N150,000, one brown belt valued at N375,000, one wallet valued at N225,000, two Nike shoes valued at N150,000, Movado wristwatch valued at N9,000.
Other stolen items include; “Rolex wristwatch valued at N7,500,000, buckle sandal valued at N80,000, black wall frame with silver leaf valued at N60,000, Tecno Pop 6 (smartphone) valued at N65,000, Techo Pop 3 (smartphone) valued at N45,000 and eight bundles of new wrappers valued at N64,000.”
