29th March, 2011
A Surulere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on Monday discharged a security guard accused of stealing a Jeep, valued at N8 million, belonging to his employer.
Senior Magistrate M.K.O. Fadeyi struck out the theft charge against the guard, Ali Shetima (28) and his friend, Ibrahim Lawal (22), for lack of diligent prosecution.
Fadeyi discharged the duo that had been in detention for three months.
He, however, did not acquit them of the two-count charge preferred against them.
The senior magistrate said that the complainant, Mr. Olaseni Oyefeso, had continued to be absent in court since the accused were arraigned on Jan. 19.
Both men had pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail, but could not meet the bail conditions.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Idowu Onime, had told the court that the security guard conspired with Lawal to steal the Jeep when Oyefeso travelled.
According to Onime, the two men took the vehicle to Badagry to negotiate with a buyer, but were intercepted and arrested by the police.