21st November, 2024
By Paul Iyoghojie
Two drivers, Amoo Yusuf and Sunday Sampson, have been arrested and arraigned before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a seven-passenger minibus valued at ₦4.2 million, owned by their employer, Harry Ozurumba.
The police at Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, alleged that the defendants took the minibus, commonly known as “Korope,” to Obalende bus stop on the day of the incident to load passengers.
However, after the bus was filled, the defendants reportedly disappeared.
According to investigations, a friend of the defendants, identified as Sodiq (now at large), allegedly assisted in driving the bus with passengers to their destinations.
After dropping off the passengers, Sodiq reportedly absconded with the bus, which has since not been recovered.
When Ozurumba waited for days without sighting his bus and received unsatisfactory explanations from the defendants, he reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer at Dolphin Estate Division.
The DPO instructed Inspector Adia Basil and his team to investigate, leading to the arrest of the defendants.
The defendants were charged with conspiracy and stealing under Sections 411 and 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Hafsat Ajibode, informed the court that the offence occurred on 11 August 2024 at Obalende.
She alleged that the defendants conspired with Sodiq to steal the bus, which was entrusted to them for hire-purchase purposes, and fled before their eventual arrest.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate Mrs Gbajumo Ayoku granted them bail of ₦450,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned, and the defendants were remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.