Court orders remand of three for alleged diesel theft

The Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos State has ordered the remand of Adeagbo Oluwagbeminiyi, Oluwagbenga Alex, and Obinna Igwe for allegedly stealing 5,000 litres of diesel worth N5,250,000.

They were arraigned on Friday by the Lagos State Police Command before Magistrate O.Y. Adefope on three counts of obtaining goods by false pretence, stealing, and fraudulently obtaining 5,000 litres of diesel.

The charges alleged that on April 24, 2024, at Surulere, Lagos State, the defendants pretended to need 5,000 litres of diesel and stole its worth of N5,250,000 from one Elegamhe Frank.

PUNCH Metro gathered that a report was made at the police station by Elegamhe on April 24, 2024, stating that he was defrauded by the defendants, who pretended that they needed 5,000 litres of diesel, and that after the sale, the money would be remitted to his account. However, he claimed that after the diesel was delivered, all efforts to reach them proved abortive.

After the report was made, the defendants were invited to the police station, questioned, and volunteered their statements, confirming that they bought the diesel but had yet to pay the complainant.

Prosecutor Haruna Magaji informed the court that the alleged offences were committed on April 24, 2024, at Surulere, Lagos State, and contravened Section 411, 314(i)(a)(2), and 287(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

He also stated that the statements of the defendants and the complainant serve as evidence against the defendants.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Adefope ordered a bail bond of N300,000 to be paid and two sureties each to be provided.

She also stated that the defendants be remanded in police custody until they had perfected their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until July 31, 2024, for further hearing.

PUNCH Metro reported in June that Jeremiah Sefan and Williams David were arraigned for allegedly stealing 400 litres of diesel worth N420,000 from an ice-making company where they worked as security guards and company drivers, respectively.

They were caught on a Closed Circuit Television footage which revealed that they committed the alleged crimes. They were subsequently arrested and charged in court.