A 42-year-old employee, Saheed Alarape, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos charged with stealing petrol valued at N737,000.
The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between Nov. 27, 2020 and Sept. 3, 2021 at Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State.
He said the defendant stole 5,161 litres of petrol amounting to N737,000, property of Mr. Bolaji Ajayi.
“The defendant fraudulently stole the complainant’s fuel.
“When the theft was detected, he was handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.
The alleged offence contravenes section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section prescribes three years’ jail term for stealing.
Following his not guilty plea, the Magistrate, Mrs. A.O Layinka, released him on bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Layinka said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.
The magistrate fixed further hearing for Feb. 9. (NAN).
