Two members of Road Transport Employer’s Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ebi Odogun and Okonofo Bello charged with stealing 40 bundles of tickets valued at N400,000, were on Thursday arraigned in Lagos.
The accused were brought before Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi of an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
Odogun, 31, who resides at Agbara, Ogun and Bello, 43, resident of Iba, Ojo area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty.
They were released on N200, 000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum by Osunsanmi.
The magistrate said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.
The prosecutor, ASP. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offence between January and March at Mile 2, Lagos.
Ayorinde said that the accused conspired to steal 40 bundles of tickets, property of RTEAN Seme Bus Chapter.
“The accused, caretakers of the branch, who are in charge of issuing revenue tickets to drivers, were given a certain number of bundle of tickets for sale.
“They stole extra 40 bundles of the tickets, N10, 000 per bundle, sold them to the drivers and converted the proceeds to their own,” he said.
Ayorinde said that when the theft was later detected, the accused were interrogated and they confessed to the crime.
“When their secret was exposed, the chairman of the association reported the case to police and the accused were arrested,” the prosecutor said.
He said the offence violated Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 prescribes two years for conspiracy.
The case was adjourned until Oct. 10 for mention. (NAN)