27th October, 2016
A contractor, Isiaka Rafiu, who allegedly stole telecom materials belonging to IHS Nig. Ltd., is facing trial at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
A resident of No. 9, Efe Obasuyi St, in Baruwa, Ipaja area of Lagos, the accused is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
Rafiu, a contractor with AIG Engineering Ltd., however, pleaded not guilty.
But the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large, between May 17 and June 26 at Oregun, Ikeja.
Ayorinde said the accused was contracted to move telecom materials from sites in Benue to IHS warehouse in Lagos State.
“It was later discovered that some of the materials the accused removed from the sites were diverted.
“The accused was asked to come to the IHS office, to give account of the missing items, which he never did,” he said.
Ayorinde alleged that the accused never picked his calls, as all efforts to meet him or retrieve the stolen items proved abortive, until he was recently apprehended by the police.
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 prescribes three years imprisonment for offenders.
A bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum was granted the accused, while the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolade Awope, adjourned the case till Nov. 11 for mention.