CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 56-year-old man, Adebowale Adebimpe, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court over allegations that he fraudulently obtained 4,000 litres of diesel valued at N7,000,000 from a Lagos vendor while serving as a management staff of Light Spring Hotel at Ojodu Berger.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi on a two-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police. The case was prosecuted by SP Josephine Ihkayere.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred at Light Spring Hotel, situated at 20, Odozi Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos State, within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
In Count I, the prosecution alleged that Adebowale Adebimpe ‘m’ and others still at large conspired to commit felony, to wit obtaining goods under false pretence. The prosecution stated that the act is contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Count II alleged that on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, Adebowale Adebimpe fraudulently obtained Four Thousand Litres of Diesel valued at Seven Million Naira, property of one Tunde Yusuf of DE-TUNZY Solution. The prosecution said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 314(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The charge sheet indicated that the complainant, Tunde Yusuf, is a diesel supplier. It was alleged that the defendant, in his capacity as a management staff of Light Spring Hotel, ordered the product but failed to remit payment after delivery.
Section 314 of the Lagos State Criminal Law provides for punishment for persons who obtain property by false pretences. Section 411 deals with conspiracy to commit a felony. Both offences carry custodial sentences if proven.
After listening to submissions from SP Josephine Ihkayere, Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Center. The court granted him bail with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and provide verifiable addresses with proof of tax payment. The court further directed that one of the sureties must be a property owner within Lagos State.
The Investigating Police Officer listed on the document was Insp. Rotimi Oladimeji, of Area ‘G’ Headquarters, Ogba. The charge sheet was processed through the Police legal department and signed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
As at the time of filing this report, the matter was adjourned for mention pending perfection of bail conditions. The defendant was moved to Kirikiri Correctional Center from the court premises.
Under Nigerian law, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The prosecution is expected to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt during trial.