A 23-year-old employee, Sunday Utuma, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing car seats valued at N4 million.
The police charged Utuma, whose residential address was not stated, with stealing.
The prosecution counsel, ASP Clifford Ogu, said that the defendant committed the offence in June 2021 at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos State.
Ogu noted that the defendant stole the car seats belonging to his employer, Okechukwu Chiwuba,
“The defendant, who was in care of one of the complainant’s shops, stole 13 pieces of Sienna seats, two pieces of Highlander jeep seats and two pieces of Toyota Avensis seats, all valued at N4 million.
“The defendant absconded to unknown destination but was eventually arrested,” the prosecutor said.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Section 287(7) prescribes seven years’ jail term for stealing.
Following his not guilty plea, the Magistrate, S.K. Matepo, granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Matepo said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until March 8 for further hearing.