Shuaibu Sulaiman, 42, Arraigned Over Alleged N47.3m Truck Diversion & Damage In Lagos

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 42-year-old man, Shuaibu Sulaiman, was arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over alleged diversion of a company truck and causing damage valued at N47,300,000.00.

According to the charge sheet, the Commissioner of Police is prosecuting Shuaibu Sulaiman over an incident alleged to have occurred on the 31st day of May, 2026 at Fafem Haulage Nigeria Limited, KM 469, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Ile-Epo, in the Lagos Magisterial District.

The prosecution told the court that Shuaibu Sulaiman and others at large allegedly diverted a company truck with registration number KSH 901 XA belonging to Fafem Haulage Nigeria Limited. Court documents stated that the truck was allegedly taken to Kpila, Edo State, where it was reportedly overloaded with 800 bags of calcium stones. The prosecution alleged that the overloading led to damage to critical parts of the vehicle.

Specifically, the charge sheet listed the alleged damaged parts to include the truck chassis frame, chassis neck, and bottom chassis base. The total value of the alleged damage was put at N47,300,000.00, Forty Seven Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira.

In Count I, the prosecution alleged that Shuaibu Sulaiman on the said date did unlawfully divert the company truck. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 399 (1) and (7) and Section 350 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015. Count II relates to the alleged damage caused to the truck as a result of the alleged overloading with 800 bags of calcium stones in Kpila, Edo State.

The matter was handled by the Oke-Odo Division of the Nigeria Police Force. The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Akande R. Adejoke, signed off on the case file. The prosecutor in court was SP Philip Ademigbuji, while the case was presided over by Magistrate Mrs O. Kusanu.

During the proceedings, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

The court granted him bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment. The Court also ordered that Shuaibu Sulaiman be remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.

Legal experts say that under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015, offences relating to diversion of property and willful damage are treated seriously, especially where the value of the property involved runs into several millions of Naira. The law provides for both restitution and penal sanctions where a defendant is found culpable after trial.

The case is expected to come up for mention on a date to be assigned by the court. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Fafem Haulage Nigeria Limited operates along the busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway corridor, a major route for haulage and logistics in Southwest Nigeria. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns over truck diversion and overloading, which they say not only cause financial losses to companies but also pose safety risks on federal highways and lead to avoidable accidents.

The Police said investigations into the matter are ongoing to determine the full extent of involvement of other persons mentioned as others at large in the charge. Authorities noted that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has reviewed and approved the case file for prosecution. Further proceedings will determine the next steps in the matter as the court considers evidence to be presented by the prosecution.