CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Station Manager of NIPCO Petroleum, Johnson Ayeni, has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for allegedly diverting N1.3 million belonging to the company in Ejigbo, Lagos State, Nigeria.
The suspect, who resides at 16, Barracks House, Alagbade in Ijegun area, allegedly stole the money barely one month after he was appointed the station manager.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that he was diverting the money piecemeal after sales without the knowledge of the company.
Trouble however started when the company audited the sales and discovered the amount was missing and Ayeni was summoned to explain what happened.
When he did not explain satisfactorily, he was handed over to the police at Isolo division for interrogation.
He was later charged to court with conduct likely to cause breach of public and stealing under the Criminal Code.
At the Isolo Magistrates’ court where he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Mr U. A. Oje, told the court he was not objecting to his bail and urged the court for accelerated hearing in the interest of justice.
Ayeni’s counsel informed the court the suspect wanted the matter to be settled out of court and asked for a date for report of settlement.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola granted him bail in the sum N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ayeni was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.
The matter was adjourned till 27 December, 2016.