Driver docked for allegedly stealing N2.5m minibus

The Police in Lagos on Friday arraigned a 40-year-old man, Muyiwa Edun, in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a N2.5m Suzuki minibus.

The defendant, a driver whose address was not mentioned, is charged with conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, SP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that the offences were committed sometime in September 2023 at No. 10, Ositelu St., Agege, Lagos.

Ajayi said that the defendant obtained the minibus on hire purchase from the complainant, Alhaja Olushola Kokomo, on the agreement of paying the money back in installments.

He alleged that Edun also fraudulently converted a total sum of N1,152,000, being the sales proceeds of the commercial bus, without the consent of the owner.

The prosecutor said that since then, the defendant disappeared with the bus, with all efforts made to get it back failing.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 287 and 412 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, granted the defendant a bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said that one of the sureties must be a blood relative and both should provide evidence of tax payment and verification.

Kubeinje adjourned the case until April 30, for mention.