A 45-year-old manager of Enakar petrol station, Emmanuel Ogundana, appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State on Friday for allegedly stealing N5,548,000.
The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge bordering on stealing, conversion of another person’s property to personal use, and threat to life.
The police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant, on Aug. 27, 2023, at about 7 a.m. at Enakar filling station, Erinje Road in Okitipupa, Okitipupa magisterial district, allegedly stole N5,548,000.
Orogbemi alleged that the defendant converted the money belonging to the owner of the filling station, one Bola Akinneyin, to his personal use.
He further alleged that the defendant also threatened Akinneyin over his own property.
The prosecutor said the offenses were contravened and punishable under Sections 390(9), 249(d), and 80, Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Cletus Ojuola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ojuola added that the sureties, who must be residents within the court’s jurisdiction, must show and present evidence of two years’ tax payments made to the state government.
He adjourned the case until March 21 for further hearings. (NAN)
