NAN-H-24
Oil
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) Five men, who allegedly stole 6,730 litres of vegetable oil worth N3.5 million, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The accused are Nnamdi Ezenwa, 52, Nnamdi Akandu, 37, Okpara Garvase, 48, Moses Ezeka, 37, Ozioma Ejezie, 27, all resident in Onitsha in Anambra
They are facing charges of conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, said the accused, with others still at large, stole 6,730 litres of vegetable oil valued at N3.5 million, property of Transtel Ventures Nigeria limited.
Ayorinde said the offences were committed on Oct. 26 at about 9.10 p.m. at Transtel Ventures Nigeria Limited located at No. 178 Ipaja Road, Agege, a Lagos suburb.
He said that Ezenwa worked for the company as a driver while his accomplices were casual workers.
The prosecutor said the case was reported by the General Manager of the company, Mrs Chenonye Okoro.
Ayorinde said that when Okoro got to the office, she discovered that the mega tank containing the vegetable oil had been broken.
“They stole oil in gallons, but were caught while trying to run away with the stolen goods.
According to the prosecutor, the accused had been in the practice of siphoning oil to sell before they were caught.
“They were later handed over to the police,” Ayorinde said
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The five accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes three years in jail for stealing, while Section 409 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolade Awope, granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case to Dec. 2 for mention. (NAN)
LAW/AOS/TA
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Tajudeen Atitebi