Two Docked For Diverting 33,000 Litres Of Petrol

Two men, Christopher Nnanna, 42, and Timber Chuba, alleged to be fuel distributors at a Lagos depot have been arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of diverting and stealing 33,000 litres of premium motor spirit, commonly called petrol, worth N2,145,000.

The police at Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos Island, Lagos alleged that the accused were arrested following a complaint by Abdullahi Abubakar that the accused stole 33,000 litres of petrol he entrusted to them to deliver to dealers in Benue State, Makurdi, but instead they diverted and sold it.

The accused were alleged to have confessed to the crime, claiming that the driver of the trailer suddenly stopped in Mowe area of Ogun State and tricked them to a restaurant to eat and drink. The driver was said to have paid the bills and gone outside to wait for them, but when they came out to continue their journey to Benue State, they could not find neither the driver nor the tanker.

After investigation, they were charged to court for stealing, the offences according to the prosecutor Haruna Ibrahim are punishable under sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap C 38, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. A.F.O Potoku, admitted them on bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties who must produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government, and adjourned the matter till 8 February, 2012.

The accused were moved to Ikoyi Prison when they could not perfect their bail conditions in good time.

—Paul Iyoghojie