A tow vehicle driver, Abiodun Olaniyi, and two others were on Tuesday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing an accident vehicle — a jeep — valued at N3.5 million.
The accused — Olaniyi, 40, and his accomplices, Ahmed Jimoh, 26, And Yusuf Nazif, 28 — who all reside at Magodo area of Lagos, are facing a charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecution told the court that the offences were committed on April 15 at Lagos State Government Secretariat Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“A Mercedes Benz G-wagon jeep valued at N3.5 million which was given to the complainant, Mr Ugochukwu Nwannenah, by his
company, Elias Premier Ltd, had an accident at 10.40 p.m.
“The complainant came out unhurt but his driver was injured, they pushed the car from the road with the help of passersby
and then took the driver to the hospital.
“The following day, the complainant in the company of his driver, went to the scene of the accident to tow the vehicle but to their surprise the car could not be found ,” the prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem, said.
According to Akeem, on making enquiries as to where the vehicle was from a vulcaniser close to the scene of the accident, they were told that three men had towed the car away.
“The complainant eventually caught up with the three accused towing the vehicle on the highway and shouted for help.”
Akeem said the complainant, with the help of the passersby, were able to apprehend the accused and thereafter, the police patrol team met them at the scene.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate Jadesola Adeyemi-Ajayi admitted the accused to a bail of N3 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
In addition, the accused are to deposit N250,000 each into the court’s Registry’s account.
The case was adjourned until May 16 for mention. (NAN)
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