MICHAEL AKINOLA
Police operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad have arrested two men, Garba Sani, 46 and Ahmed Yusuf, for allegedly diverting 45,000 liters of diesel worth N50m belonging to Alhaji Muktasu Yakubu in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Dangote Petroleum and Petrochemicals FZE Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
According to the Police, the suspects conspired after the diesel was loaded and moved out from the two companies. Along the way, they diverted and sold it to an unknown buyer.
The matter was reported to the Police. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained them at the Command for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found them culpable and consequently charged them before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
“That you, Garba Sani ‘m’, Ahmed Yusuf ‘m’ and others now at large on the 24th day of April 2024 at about 1400hrs at Dangote Petroleum Re and Petrochemicals FZE, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby commit offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Garba Sani ‘m’, Ahmed Yusuf ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal Forty Five Thousand (45,000.00) liters of AGO Automotive Gas Oil diesel valued Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) property of One Alhaji Muktasu Yakubu ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (2)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 287 (5)(a)(b)(9)(b) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Garba Sani ‘m’, Ahmed Yusuf ‘m’ and others now at large, on 30th day of April, 2024 at about 1310hrs at PMOT Integrated Energy Service Ltd company No. 14, John Chuks Nnadi Drive off Africa Lane off Admiralty Way Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT IV:”That you, Garba Sani ‘m’, Ahmed Yusuf ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal Forty Five Thousand (45,000.00) Liters of AGO Automotive Gas Oil diesel valued Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) property of one Alhaji Muktasu Yakubu ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (2)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 287(5)(a)(b)(9)(b) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria. 2015.”
They pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Mr. Olatunde Kehinde, then 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. F.M.Kayode-Alamu, 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 pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.