2 Logistics Workers Docked For Diverting 83 Pieces Of iPhones Worth N83m

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Two self acclaimed logistics workers,  Akachukwu Uche, 32 and Jude Izundu Okoro, 53, have been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly diverting 83 pieces of iPhones 12 promax worth N83m given to them to deliver to owners and they bolted away. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened sometime in 2021.

The suspects allegedly conspired, stole the items and went into hiding while they disconnected every communication to trace them.

The items in question belonged to the owners, Adebayo Ayomide and Anuba Newman respectively.

The matter was reported to the Police at Area F, Ikeja Command. The operatives tracked, eventually arrested the suspects and detained them at the Command for interrogation over their conduct.

During interrogation, the Police discovered that they were not genuine logistics workers and have as well sold the items and converted them to their own use.

They were found culpable and consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I:”That you, AKACHUKWU UCHE ‘M’ and JUDE IZUNDU OKORO ‘M’ and others now at large sometimes February, 2021. In the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 411 and punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II:”That you AKACHUKWU UCHE ‘M’ and JUDE IZUNDU OKORO ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did convert 50 pieces of IPhone 12 promax values N62,3250,000 (Sixty Two Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira) for your own use, property of one ADEBAYO AYOMIDE JAMES and thereby committed and offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT III:” That you, AKACHUKWU UCHE ‘M’ and JUDE IZUNDU OKORO ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did dishonestfully convert 33 pieces of IPhone 11 valued N21,980,000 (Twenty One Million, Nine Hundred and eighty Thousand Naira) for your own use, property of one ANUBA NEWMAN ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT IV:” That you, AKACHUKWU UCHE ‘M’ on the 29th of January, 2025 at the Nigerian Police Force, Area F Command Headquarters, Ikeja, in the Aforementioned Magisterial district, did make a statement at the above office that you are into logistics services and dully registered your businesses to enable you operate knowing fully that it was false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 115 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, Nigeria.”

However, they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, 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. 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, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.