5 Docked for Stealing 10 Empty Containers

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Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti,Yaba, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, have arraigned four men and a woman before an Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing 10 empty containers belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Company, Apapa.

The value of the stolen computers was put at N9 million.

Those arraigned include Tony Mbachu, 29, Mrs. Shade Afolabi, 46, Shaba John, 62, Banewa Oyindamola, 25 and Afolabi Awolesi.

They were alleged to have stolen the containers on 3 February, 2011, at about 11. 30 a.m. at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.

Tony Mbachu and Shade Afolabi, who were first and second defendants respectively were alleged to have stolen the containers, three of which were sold to Banewa Oyindamola, the fourth defendant for N2,880,000, while two others were sold to Afolabi Awolesi, at N1,920,000.

Mbachu was also alleged to have impersonated a staff of Ocean Wave Nigeria Limited with intent to steal the containers.

They were arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, receiving stolen items and impersonation.

The offences, the prosecutor, Mr. I. E. Edowor, said are punishable under Sections 516, 390(1), 427,427 and 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs. C. T. Adesola-Ikpatt, a Chief Magistrate 1, granted bail to the first defendant, Tony Mbachu, in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in the sum of N500,000 while the other defendants were granted bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in the sum of N250,000.

The sureties, the magistrate ordered, must show to court evidence of payment of three years tax to the Lagos State government; means of livelihood and copies of the documents must be submitted to the court for sighting and for record purpose.

The case has been adjourned till 16 September, 2011, for trial.

—Paul Sanusi

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