The Police on Wednesday arraigned a businessman, Bashir Olokun, 59, at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft of a truck valued at N1.4 million.
Olokun, who resides at Ajayi Estate in Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining property under false pretense.
The Prosecutor, DSP Kehinde Ajayi , said that the defendant committed the offences since Sept. 23, 2014, at Asa Afariogun Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos.
Ajayi alleged that the defendant collected a diesel truck with engine no 043306 valued at N1,400,000 from one Jahlive Sadakka Nig. Ltd, under the pretense of borrowing it to do a personal business and return it after three days.
The defendant, according to the prosecution, has not returned the said truck since 2014, but rather insisted that it was stolen where he parked it.
“All efforts made by the complainant company to get their money back failed.’’
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing while Section 314 prescribes 15 years jail term for obtaining by false pretext, for an offender found guilty.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, A.O Ajibade, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and adjourned the case until Oct. 28 for mention.