28th February, 2011
A petrol tanker driver and his assistant have been remanded in Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly stealing 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.
The tanker driver, Chidi Okoye, his assistant, Obinna Thomas and one Ephraim, who is still at large, were alleged to have stolen a 33,000-litre tanker loaded with petrol, belonging to Vincent Ndupu, at ASCON Filling Station, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State, on 2 December, 2010.
Following the disappearance of the petrol-laden tanker, a search party was inaugurated and this led to the arrest of the driver and his assistant. The third man is still at large.
Both the driver and his assistant were arraigned before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, offences the prosecuting police officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ajayi, claimed were punishable under Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count two of the offence reads: “That you, Chidi Okoye, his assistant, Obinna Thomas and one Ephraim, who is still at large, on 2 December, 2010, at ASCON filling station, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal 33,000 litres of PMS, valued at N2,200 000, property of Vincent Ndupu, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.â€
Their counsels, Mr. S. Nathaniel and M.I. Orjiakor, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
In her ruling, Mrs. Kemi Doja-Ojo, the presiding magistrate, admitted them on bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each.
The sureties, according to the magistrate, must provide evidence of payment of tax to the Lagos State government; proof of means of livelihood and have their addresses verified by the court.
The case has been adjourned till 6 April, 2011 for mention.
—Paul Sanusi
