A 35-year old petrol tanker driver, Aliu Haruna, has done the unthinkable in Lagos State by allegedly selling N27m petroleum product loaded inside the tanker, which belonged to NIPCO and setting the N80m worth tanker on fire in order to cover up the alleged stealing.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 10th September, 2023, at Apapa area of Lagos, where the suspect, Haruna loaded the petroleum product.
When the management of NIPCO suspected his claim that the tanker was gutted by fire, a petition was written to the AIG, Zone 2 Onikan, for further investigation.
During investigation, the Police operatives then discovered that the suspect, Haruna, willfully damaged and set the tanker on fire having sold the petroleum product to a buyer.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy, willful damage and arson.
According to the Police, the suspect, Haruna, drove the truck with registration number, TT 7842 to the depot and loaded petroleum product to be delivered to NIPCO petrol station on that day.
Police findings revealed that Haruna and others now at large conspired and sold the petroleum product inside the truck, set the tanker on fire and it got burnt beyond recognition before he then reported the incident to the management.
However, he pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Cousin Adams, then asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice because of the nature of the alleged offence which attracts capital punishment.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. F.F. George, ordered the defendant to be remanded in custody pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant will remain in custody pending when the DPP’s report will be ready.