Lagos Court Arraigns 50-Year-Old Man Over Alleged N63m Fuel Theft At Oshodi Hotel

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

A 50-year-old man, Nnamdi Ezeugo, was on Thursday arraigned before a Lagos Magisterial District Court over alleged conspiracy, stealing and dishonest conversion of fuel valued at N63,000,000 belonging to J.K Hotel and Suite in Oshodi, Lagos State.

Ezeugo was arraigned by the Commissioner of Police before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kasunu on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, stealing and dishonest conversion. The prosecution was led by SP Phillip Ademigbuji.

According to the charge sheet marked Ref B/119/26, the defendant and one other person who is currently at large allegedly committed the offences sometime in August 2025 at J.K Hotel and Suite located at No. 1, Akin Osho Street, Afariogun, Oshodi, Lagos State.

Count one alleges that the defendant and his alleged accomplice conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit stealing, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 411 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

Count two alleges that on the same date and place, the defendant stole fuel worth N63,000,000, property of J.K Hotel and Suite, contrary to Section 280 (b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

Count three alleges dishonest conversion of the property of the hotel, contrary to Section 286 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

When the charges were read to him in court, Ezeugo pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

Following his plea, the prosecutor, SP Phillip Ademigbuji, asked the court for an adjournment to enable the prosecution to assemble its witnesses and proceed with trial. He did not oppose bail but urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the defendant’s attendance at trial.

In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. O. Kasunu granted the defendant bail with two sureties. The court ordered that the sureties must show credible evidence of means of livelihood and provide proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate further ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center in Kirikiri town pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to a later date for mention and commencement of trial.

The matter was investigated by the Area ‘F’ Police Command, with Inspector Etim Patience listed as the Investigating Police Officer.

Legal experts note that under Nigerian law, an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. The charges as filed represent allegations by the prosecution which must still be proved beyond reasonable doubt during trial.

The alleged incident adds to a growing number of high-value theft cases involving hospitality businesses in Lagos, where operators have in recent months raised concerns about rising operational costs, particularly energy and fuel expenses.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get the reaction of the defence counsel were unsuccessful. The court is expected to fix a new date for hearing once the bail conditions are met.