MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Nigerian Police combined team of FIB/IRT, Abuja has tracked two men, Ikechukwu Joseph, 52 and Adeniyi Solomon, 62, in Lagos State for allegedly diverting and receiving containers with goods worth over N100m belonging to Oshun Agro Commodity Nigeria Limited.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects and others now at large were said to have carted away the container of Oshun Agro Commodity Nigeria Limited, located at Ago Palace Way, Lagos and diverted it to Ikorodu area of Lagos, where they intended to sell the items.
However, they ran out of luck as the Police went into action, eventually tracked the containers and arrested the suspects.
They were consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy and stealing which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Ikechukwu Joseph ‘m’, Adeniyi Solomon ‘m’, and others at large on the 21st day of March, 2023, at about 1430hours, at Oshun Agro Commodity Nigeria Limited, located at Ago Palace Way, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to steal 40feet container containing cashew nut seeds and the empty container and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Ikechukwu Joseph ‘m’ and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal 40feet container having cashew nut seeds valued N37,000,00.00 (Thirty-Seven Million Naira) and the empty container valued N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), all amounting to N42,000,000.00 (Forty-Two Million Naira), property of Oshun Agro Commodity Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287(5)(a)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III:” That you, Ikechukwu Joseph ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal 40feet container having sesame seeds (popularly known as Egusi), valued N57,000,000.00 (Fifty-Seven Million Naira) and the empty container valued N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), all amounting to N62,000,000.00 (Sixty-Two Million Naira), property of Oshun Agro Commodity Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287(5)(a)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT IV:”That you, Adeniyi Solomon ‘m’, on the 22nd day of March, 2023, at about1810hours, at a warehouse, somewhere along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did receive 40feet container having cashew nut seeds valued N37,000,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million Naira) and the empty container valued N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), all amounting to N42,000,000.00 (Forty-Two Million Naira), knowing same to have been stolen and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 328(1)(2)(a)(b) of The Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT V:”That you, Adeniyi Solomon ‘m’, on the 8th day of December. 2023, at about 1820hours, at a warehouse, somewhere along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did receive 40feet container having seeds (popularly known as Egusi), valued at N57,000,000.0 (Fifty-en Million Naira) and the empty container valued N5,000,000.00 (Five million Naira), all amounting to N62,000,000.00 (Sixty-Two Million Naira),knowing same to have been stolen and thereby committed an offence nishable under Section 328(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria, 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted them bail with two 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 defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.