21st November, 2016
Two commercial drivers, Adeleye Taiwo, 60 and Micheal Akinode, 22, who allegedly stole a tricycle valued at N600, 000 were on Monday in Lagos granted bail.
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, granted the accused persons N100,000 bail each and told them to provide two sureties each in like sum.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Alexander Komolafe, said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Komolafe adjourned the case to Dec. 5 for mention.
Taiwo, who lives at of No. 32, Alhaji Yusuf St., Ishasi Akute in Ogun and Akinode at No. 8, Modupe St., Ogba, Lagos, are facing a two- count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Joseph Ajebe, had told the court that the accused conspired with one Bankole Monday, who is still at large and committed the offences on July 5, at No. 14, Fadipe St., Ogba, Lagos.
Ajebe said the complainant, one Mrs Angela Eki, sold the tricycle to Bankole on hire purchase for commercial purposes.
“Eki reached an agreement with Bankole that he would remit a certain amount of money every month until he completes the N600, 000 payment.
“Bankole, however, conspired with the accused persons, who he gave the tricycle to run on commercial basis, to sell the tricycle and convert the money to their personal use,’’ he said.
Ajebe alleged that some months later, Bankole called the complainant on phone and told her that the tricycle had been stolen.
“All efforts to get Bankole proved abortive; so the accused persons were arrested,’’ he said.
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.