Two truck conductors, Ikechukwu Ukoha and Charles Onyekaziri, have been brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing eight 40-feet empty containers worth N6.1 million.
Ukoha, 42, and Onyekaziri, 36, whose addresses were not given by the Police, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Haruna, told the court that the duo committed the offences at Tin-Can Island, Apapa in Lagos on September 22 at 2:30pm.
He said that the accused stole five 40-feet empty containers and three 20-feet containers valued at N6.1 million belonging to SAPID Agency Ltd. and Bollore African Logistic.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 285 (5) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
Section 285 (5) of the law provides seven years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of the offence.
The Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Komolafe, granted each of the accused N500,000 bail with two sureties each in like sum after listening to their plea for bail by their counsel.
Komolafe ordered that the sureties must be relations of the accused and must provide evidence of three years tax payment and their addresses verified.
The case was adjourned till December 15 for mention.
By Pita Ochai