Driver arraigned for stealing Nestle Product Worth N41M

Posted by African Examiner Crime Watch, Latest Headlines Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Ruth Bamidele, Lagos

A 32- year-old driver, Wasiu Mohammed, was arraigned on Thursday before a Lagos Magistrate Court, sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly stealing goods worth N41million.

The defendant who resides at 10b, Adegboyega Street, Orisunbare, Lagos was docked before Magistrate Miss A. O, Akinde.

The defendant, is facing a two- count charge of conspiracy and stealing, preferred against him by the police.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emurehi, said that the defendant and others still at large, committed the alleged offence on September 17, 2013.

According to him, the defendant with intent to defraud, dishonestly stole 800 cartons of Micro Nutrients Premix valued at N41million, property of Nestle Nigeria Plc.

Adding that the offence committed is contrary to section 409 and punishable under section 285 (a) code laws of the criminal code laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However, when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the two count charges against him.

The defendant’s counsel, Ese Imonighara, pleaded that the defendant be granted bail on liberal terms, stating that the defendant who is a driver is only a victim of circumstance, who was charged to court over a case he knows nothing about.

He disclosed that the defendant was contacted by someone to move some goods to Nestle and met another driver on his arrival at the theft scene.

Imonighara revealed that 85 percent of the said goods has been recovered by the police, but not from the defendant.

He further added that the defendant was asked to fish out the driver who ran away with the goods which the defendant was unable to do, and has resulted in his being charged to court by the police.

The magistrate however granted him bail in the sum of N2million with two sureties in like sum and also to pay the sum of N100,000 to the account of the court registrar.

The case was further adjourned to January 7,2013, for mention. Meanwhile the defendant was remanded to Kirikiri prison custody.