10th August, 2018
Three friends, who allegedly stole cartons of weaving thread worth N100 million, on Friday appeared before a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.
Nurudeen Abode, 23, Sudiq Soliu, 29, and Toyeeb Olowoeyo, 25, were brought before Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias on a two-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.
They, however, pleaded, not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Hafsat Ajibode told the court that the trio committed the offenses sometime in 2017 at No. 40, Idumagbo Ave., Lagos Island.
She said that the accused conspired to steal the weaving thread from Mrs Rashidat Abiola-Juniad.
Ajibode submitted that the first accused, Abode, who was a salesman in one of the Abiola-Junaid’s shops, stole the weaving thread and gave them to Olowoeyo to sell.
“Olowoeyo, a habitual criminal who is facing a similar charge in this same court, lures sales boys and girls into stealing their employers’ goods for him to sell and, in turn, give them a stipend.
“Olowoeyo introduced Abode to the act of stealing his employer’s goods; he then pays Abode’s share into Soliu’s account and he (Soliu) gets his own share.
“The complainant discovered that goods worth that huge amount were missing while she was taking stock, and threatened to get all her employees arrested.
“Abode confessed to involvement and led the police to his accomplices,” the prosecutor said.
The offenses contravene Sections 287, 411 and 412 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Elias granted each of the accused N500,000 bail with two sureties each in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and one a relative of the accused.
Elias adjourned the case until Aug. 16 for mention.