KINGSLEY EBERE
A 29-year-old man, Osademe Ezekiel, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Lagos court in connection with an alleged theft of ₦7 million worth of diesel at the Nigeria Revenue Service office in Onigbongbo, Ikeja. The charge was filed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, on Charge No. 18/2026.
According to the charge sheet dated November 9, 2025, the alleged incident occurred at about 1:30pm at the NRS office located in Onigbongbo, Ikeja, within the Lagos Magisterial District. The prosecution alleged that 5,000 liters of generator diesel was involved.
The document stated that the diesel was valued at ₦7,000,000. The property was described as belonging to the NRS office at Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The charge stated that the act, if proven, would be contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 187 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015. These sections relate to theft and handling of stolen property under Lagos State law.
The charge sheet listed Insp. Awolaja Ilesanmi of Ikeja Division as the Police officer handling the matter. A contact phone number was also included on the document for court records.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to provide evidence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment. The conditions are standard for cases of this nature in Lagos courts.
The matter was adjourned 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.
Legal experts say under the Nigerian law, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The allegations remain claims by the prosecution until tested in court.
The case has drawn attention to security measures at government facilities in Lagos. Government agencies like NRS often rely on generators due to power challenges, making diesel storage a key operational need.
Theft of operational supplies such as diesel can disrupt services at public offices. Institutions are expected to follow procurement and security protocols to safeguard assets and ensure continuity of public service.
Cases involving public institutions often attract public interest because they relate to management of government resources. Transparency in court proceedings helps maintain public trust. The case is expected to continue at the Ikeja Magistrate Court, and
http://pmexpressng.com will monitor and report updates as they become available from the court.