Two docked over alleged theft of machine valued N12m

Two men, Kola Peters and Lasisi Mustapha, were on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over the alleged theft of stone-breaking machines worth N12 million.

Peters, 53, and Mustapha, 40, whose addresses were not given, are being charged with conspiracy, stealing, and receiving stolen goods. The prosecutor, Cpl Akeem Akinloye, told the court that Peters and Mustapha committed the offense at about 2:00 p.m. on January 18, 2013.

Akinloye said that Peters stole the stone-breaking machines belonging to his employer, ENL Construction Company, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan.

The prosecutor further said that Mustapha received the machines from Peters, knowing that they were stolen. He stated that the offense contravened Sections 383, 390(9), and 427 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the laws prescribe a seven-year jail term for anyone found guilty of stealing and receiving stolen goods. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

Ogunkanmi said that one of the sureties must own a property with a Certificate of Occupancy, while the second surety must be a blood relation of the defendants. She adjourned the matter until December 5 for hearing.