Mechanic Uses Customer’s N2.7m SUV To Borrow N30k, Loses It

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 27-year old auto mechanic at Ladipo Market, Mr. Musa Azeez, has landed in trouble after he used his customer’s N2.7m Toyota 4Runner SUV to borrow N30,000 and eventually lost it to the creditor in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ago Palace Way Okota, Lagos where the owner, Alhaji Lukman Anifowoshe resided and from where Azeez drove the vehicle with registration number, KTU 300 DA to his workshop at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos.

It was gathered that the complainant had contacted Azeez to repair his vehicle and handed over the vehicle to him pending when he will get the spare parts needed for the repair.

However, Alhaji delayed in providing money for the purchase of the parts and the incident happened when Azeez had serious financial challenge which he needed money to sort out.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Azeez then took the vehicle and used it to borrow money promising to return the money on an agreed date. But when the owner further delayed to provide the money for the purchase of parts, Azeez was also unable to return the money he had borrowed. He then went back to the person identified as Baba Cargo and asked him to buy the vehicle lying that  the owner of the vehicle was no more around.

Baba Cargo then promised to pay him additional N140,000 in addition to the amount he borrowed from him and they agreed.
However, before he could collect the balance from Baba Cargo, Alhaji called Azeez and gave him the money to buy the spare parts in order to repair the vehicle. It was gathered that Azeez then went back to Baba Cargo and asked him to return the vehicle as the owner had surfaced and provided the money for the spare parts needed for the repairs.

At that point, Baba Cargo told Azeez that he had sold the vehicle to a buyer at Owode area of Lagos and he will not be able to retrieve the vehicle. The whole thing came to the open when Alhaji asked him to bring the vehicle because he should have finished repairing it and Azeez then told him what had happened and that the vehicle had gone.

The matter was reported to the Police, Azeez was arrested and charged before Isolo Magistrates court, Lagos for conspiracy and stealing on Friday.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Oje Uagbale did not object his bail because the offence the suspect was said to have committed was bailable.
Thus, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Teluwo granted Azeez bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.
The matter was adjourned till 30 May, 2018.