NAN-H-24
Cart pusher
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, June 20, 2017 (NAN) A 42-year-old cart pusher, John Aguokolo, who allegedly stole 30 bags of rice valued at N542, 000,
was on Tuesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on Lagos Island.
Aguokolo, who is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, pleaded not guilty.
But the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale insisted that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 2 at 2.00 p.m. under the bridge on the island.
According to him, the accused conspired with a sales clerk, now at large to steal 30 bags of rice worth N542, 000 belonging to his employer, Mr Lazarus Jude.
“Jude put his sales boy in charge of the off loading of his trucks containing bags of rice while he was away.
“The sales boy contacted the accused to steal the bags of rice to share the proceeds of the sales00.
“The accused pretended to be carrying the bags of rice into the shop but was diverting them into his cart,” he told the court.
He said the accused was later caught while the sales boy absconded.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years for conspiracy, the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr Kazeem Omolaja, granted the accused N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum and
adjourned the case until June 30 for mention. (NAN)
TME/ESAN/DA
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan/Dele Akinsola)