Driver Lands In Prison For Allegedly Diverting Customer’s N293m Spare Parts

 BY PAUL IYOGHOJIE

The operatives of the Nigeria Police Zone 2 Command, Lagos have arrested a haulage truck driver, Muhammed Bello and charged him before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly diverting and stealing N283 million worth of Caterpillar spare parts entrusted in his care by a customer in Lagos to deliver to a customer in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

The Police alleged that the complainant contracted the driver in Apapa to convey the goods to a customer in a Northern city for a fee and that instead of the driver conveying the goods to the supposed receiver, he allegedly diverted and sold the goods and then fled.

Police further alleged that when the complainant called the driver to confirm if he had deliver the goods to the recipient, he allegedly told the complainant that he was attacked by armed robbers who robbed him of the truck and the goods, a claim the Police said the defendant knew to be false.

Following the development, the Complainant petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Adegoke Fayoade who directed his crack team to fish out the fleeing driver.

The Police team swung into action and arrested the driver at a hideout in Lagos through intelligence gathering and tracking.

And after investigation by Inspector Ayo Odudu and team, the defendant was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

Police prosecuting Counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa informed the court in the charge marked M/44/2024 that the defendant committed the offence on 20 April, 2024 at 16/18 Ado Avenue, Apapa, Lagos.

ASP Igbinosa told the Court that the defendant betrayed the trust reposed in him as a truck driver by the complainants as he diverted and sold the spare parts entrusted in his care to deliver to a customer before he was tracked and arrested.

He said the offences committed were punishable under sections 411 and 287 (5)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however pleaded not guilty to charges and Magistrate Chief Mrs. Gbajumo Ayoku granted him a N2 million bail with two sureties in like manner.