MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 50-year old man, Ogunkoya Tayo Sunday, has opted to go to prison than to refund N15m of the vehicle he sold to his client and converted the money to his personal use in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ikeja area of Lagos, where Sunday sold the Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to Motayo Kehinde.
According to the complainant, Kehinde, he entrusted the vehicle to Sunday to sell for the said amount and he eventually sold it. However, he refused to give the complainant the money and did not disclose the reason for seizing the money.
The matter was reported to the Police at Alausa Division. The suspect, Sunday, was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over the alleged conduct against the complainant.
During interrogation, he admitted to have sold the vehicle and refused to bring the money. He insisted that if the complainant wants to send him to prison, he would not mind but did not state why he refused to give him the said money.
Tthe Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged stealing and converting the money to personal use.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Layinka, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 11th July, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.