Man, 32, Remanded In Custody For Carting Away N25m Solar Panels

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 32-year old man, Olusola Olaniyi, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing 80 pieces of Solar Panels structure worth N25m belonging to Ololade Olawuyi.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

According to the Police, the suspect conspired with others and diverted the items without the consent of the owner before he discovered that the items were missing.

The matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police Special Squad in Ikeja, Lagos. The operatives went into action, eventually arrested and detained him at the Command for interrogation over the alleged theft.

After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Yaba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, Olusola Olaniyi ‘m’ and others now at large, on 17th May, 2024 at about 12:00 hrs in Ibeju Lekki Area, in Lagos State Magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to divert eighty (80) pieces of Solar panel structure valued Twenty Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00) property of Mr. Ololade Olawuyi ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 410 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, Olusola Olaniyi ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal Eighty (80) pieces of Solar Panel structure value Twenty Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00), property of Mr. Ololade Olawuyi ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 (5) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Thomas Nurudeen, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. P.E. Nwaka, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, 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 was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.