Driver docked for allegedly stealing 200 bags of maize

A 28-year-old driver, Mohammed Murtala, was docked in a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna State for allegedly stealing 200 bags of maize worth N1.8million from his employer.

The police charged Murtala, who resides in Kimkinau in Kaduna, with conspiracy, theft and forgery.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp Child Leo, told the court that the defendant, who was an employee of F&C Transport Company, committed the offence sometime in September 2021 at Rigasa in Kaduna.

Leo said the defendant was asked to deliver 200 bags of yellow and white varieties of maize worth N1.8million to the company’s customers, but that he sold the goods to somebody else.

He said that the defendant forged a waybill of the company and converted the proceeds to his personal use.

The prosecutor said that when the customer did not get the goods, he notified defendant’s employer, but the driver claimed that the goods were delivered to the customer when confronted.

The prosecutor said that the company reported the case to the police and the defendant was arrested.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 187, 57 and 287 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate,  Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case until April 12, for hearing.