A 36-YEAR-old driver, Lawal Garuba, who allegedly stole Chivita products and a truck valued at N25 million, was on Wednesday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Garuba, an employee of a haulage firm, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

According to Friday Mameh, a sergeant and the prosecutor, the accused was assigned on May 4, 2016 to transport a truck-laden with Chivita juices and beverages from Lagos to Benin in Edo.

He said that the accused left Lagos on May 4, 2016, but allegedly diverted and sold the goods and the truck.

Mameh said that the haulage firm later tracked the truck on its tracking device to a location in Kwara.

He said that the firm reported the incident to the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, which traced the accused to his home town.

Mameh said that the goods worth N12 million, while the Renault truck with Registration No. DKA 354XG valued at N13 million, totalling N25 million.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287(5)(a)(b)(c) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Garuba pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Abimbola Komolafe, a magistrate, admitted the accused to N5 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have their addresses verified.

Komolafe adjourned the case until November 13 for mention. (NAN)

– Oct 25, 2017 @ 16:54 GMT |