2 Business Men Arrested For Buying Company’s Stolen Goods Worth N9.3m

KINGSLEY EBERE 

Police operatives from the Lagos State Command have arrested two business men, Hassan Idi, 35 and Lawal Idris, 42 for allegedly conspiring to buy stolen goods worth N9.6m belonging to a company, known as Classic Soap Industries Limited. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects, Idi and Idris, were alleged to have received 750 cartons of the company’s soap allegedly stolen by one Chukwuma said to be at large.

The alleged theft happened at Ilupeju area of the State, where the company was located.

However, the alleged theft was discovered following a petition to the Commissioner of Police. The Police moved into action, eventually arrested the suspects and detained them at the Command’s Headquarters in Ikeja for investigation.

After investigation, the Police found them culpable and charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy and receiving stolen items under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read:

COUNT I: That you Hassan Idi ‘m’, Lawal Idris ‘m’ and others now at large on the 16th of May, 2024 at Ilupeju area of Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit Receiving Stolen Items and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 411 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II: That you That you Hassan Idi ‘m’, Lawal Idris ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial District did receive stolen items of seven hundred and fifty (750) cartoons Classic Soap valued Nine Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N9,637,500.00) from one Chukwuma ‘m’ knowing same to have been stolen items of Classic Soap Industries Nig. Limited and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 329 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

They pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to bring witnesses to testify in order to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.