29th June, 2011
Detectives from State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, have arraigned six employees of Business Contracting Company, situated in Ikoyi, Lagos, in an Ebute-Metta magistrate’s court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing iron rods valued at N18. 3million.
Those arraigned were Moses Adamu, Michael Ekpo, Abu Alhazan, Godwin Mbag, Emmanuel Ofem and Emmanuel Amu.
They were alleged to have conspired with others, now at large, to commit the act in the premises of the company between March and April this year.
They were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The offences, according to prosecuting police officer, Inspector Eshiet O. Eshiet, are punishable under Section 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap.c17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count two of the charges reads: “That you Moses Adamu, Michael Ekpo, Abu Alhazan, Godwin Mbag, Emmanuel Ofem and Emmanuel Amu and others now at large, between the months of March and April 2011, at Business Contracting Company, Ikoyi, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal assorted iron rods valued about N18.384million property of Business Contracting Company and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.â€
The six accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two- count charge.
The counsel to accused, Mr. Ojo Olugbenga and R.M. Utobo, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal term as they are still presumed innocent until they are proved guilty.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. O. Ogalla, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each.
The sureties, the magistrate ordered, must show to the court, evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State government, evidence of means of livelihood and must be residing within the magisterial district.
The case has been adjourned till 25 July, 2011 for trial.
The six accused persons were later moved to Ikoyi prison, as they could not meet the bail conditions.
—Paul Sanusi