Justice

A 23-year-old man, Freedom Obadia, was on Monday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a bus, valued at N3.3 million.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, told the court that the accused conspired with one Joseph Yakut, now at large, to steal the vehicle.

He said that Obadia and Yakut, committed the offences on April 3 at the UBA Car Park, Marina, Lagos, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Osajiale said that the duo stole a grey 18-sitter Hummer bus with registration No. EPE 670 XS, belonging to one Bola Akinriade, valued at N3.3million.

He said that on June 17 at 7:00 p.m at Ebute-Ero Police Station, after the police arrested the accused, an iPhone 5, valued at N250, 000, the ownership of which he could not prove, was also found on him.

“Akinriade and her new driver left the bus at UBA Car Park while she went to serve breakfast to UBA employees and her driver went to pray in a nearby mosque.

“They came back and discovered that the vehicle had been stolen.

“The theft was later traced to her former driver, who she laid off a day before the theft and his friend, Obadia. The driver absconded and the accused was arrested.”

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015

Section 287 carries three years imprisonment; Section 328 prescribes six months in jail while 411 stipulates two years imprisonment for offenders

The accused is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, theft and unlawfully possession of items without proof of ownership.

Obadia, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.M. Dalley, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be close relatives of the accused and that no civil servant must stand surety for the accused.

Dalley adjourned the case until July 12 for mention.