CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 44-year-old man, Ajayi Michael, was on Thursday remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Center by a Lagos Magistrate Court over allegations of stealing and dishonestly selling a Toyota Sienna valued at ₦7.5 million.
The defendant was arraigned before the court by the Commissioner of Police on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and conversion of property given on trust.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred on January 9, 2025, at about 3:30pm at No. 2, Akosa Osakwe Street, Ahmadiya, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
Count I stated that Ajayi Michael stole one Toyota Sienna car with Chassis No. STD2A29C955326607 valued at Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira, ₦7,500,000.00, property of Mr. Sunday Fadare. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 280(1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count II further alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant dishonestly sold the said Toyota Sienna, which was given to him on trust to sell and remit the proceeds to the rightful owner. The prosecution claimed that that he sold the vehicle and converted the proceeds of ₦7,500,000.00 to his personal use.
The offence in Count II is said to be contrary to Section 314(1)(2) and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The charge sheet was presented in court by the prosecutor, ASP Ajisomo Olanrewaju, attached to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
The Investigating Police Officer listed on the document was from Command Smart Cloud, State Headquarters, Ikeja.
When the charges were read to him in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties. The sureties are to provide evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
Following the bail ruling, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Center pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Legal experts note that under Nigerian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
The matter was adjourned for further proceedings, with parties directed to ensure all relevant documents are made available at the next hearing.