Man, 45, Docked For Allegedly Stealing N82m Company’s Aviation Fuel At Airport

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 45-year old man, Moses Ikpe, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State allegedly stealing company’s aviation fuel valued over N82m at the airport enroute to Yola in Adamawa State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 20th September,2025, at Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, where the suspect conspired and stole the fuel belonging to CITA Energies Limited.

According to the Police,  the suspect was supplied the fuel by the company, whose office is located at the airport enroute Yola town. Instead of doing so, he diverted the fuel, sold it to an undisclosed person and bolted away with the money.

However, the whole thing got exposed after the company contacted the destination in Yola where the fuel was supposed to be delivered. The suspect, who was said to have gone into hiding, disconnected every communication he had with the company.

The matter was reported to the Police at the Airport Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

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

The charges read:

COUNT 1: “That you. Moses Ikpe ‘m’ and one other, on the 20 day of September, 2025, at CITA Energies Limited with head office situated at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to-wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigerin, 2015.”

COUNT 2:”That you, Moses Ikpe ‘m’ and one other, on the same date and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal Sixty-two thousand. nine hundred and forty-five litres of JET-A Aviation fuel, which was supplied from CITA head office Lagos to Yola office valued eighty-two million, two Inundred and three thousand, eight hundred and sixteen naira (N82,203,816.00), property of CITA Energies Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) (b) and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Adeitan Oluwabunmi, 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, M.A. Agbaje, granted him 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 defendant was remanded in custody until he will perfect his bail conditions.