Driver Arrested For Stealing Cartons of Can Beer

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Lateef Mutiu at the court

A 35-year old truck driver, Lateef Mutiu has landed in trouble after his company truck had an accident along Shagamu-Benin Expressway and cartons of can beer drinks inside the vehicle meant for supply were destroyed and robbers carted away the remainder.

The company, Lorion Ventures Limited, located along LASU Road in Igando, reported Mutiu to the  police at Igando division after the accident. He was arrested and the police asked him to refund over N600,000 being the worth of the goods as demanded by the company.

When Oyo State-born Mutiu, employed as a truck driver by the company with monthly salary of N15,000 beside other allowances, could not provide the money or the goods, he was charged to a Lagos court on a two count charge of conspiracy and stealing under the criminal code in Lagos.

According to police, Mutiu and others at large on 2 October did conspire to commit felony and steal 280 cartons of can drinks worth N606, 300.00 belonging to the company.

But Mutiu said he had been successfully using the truck to carry the goods and supply to its destination until he had an accident. He said he managed to survive and reported to the company what happened, the management only told him that he will bear the cost of those goods that damaged during the accident.
He said initially, he thought they were playing until they brought police who arrested him within the company premises and took him to the station.
He pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs J.O.E Adeyemi granted Mutiu bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
However, Mutiu was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 5 November 2016.

When our correspondent contacted the company representative who refused to disclose his name, he declined to speak and said he was not authorized to speak on the matter.