Four men, on Thursday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft.
The defendants – Aliu Shekoni, 45; Aliu Ayoade, 47; Lukman Adekunle, 38 and Fakayo John, 30 – are being tried for conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde told the court that the defendants stole 414 liters of diesel, which value was yet to be ascertained, the property of IHS Communication.
Ayorinde said the defendants committed the offenses on Aug. 20 at Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos.
“The police on patrol at night sighted the defendants jumping into the site.
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“The patrol team waited and when the defendants jumped out with some gallons of diesel, they were arrested.
“It was discovered by the management of the site that the defendants had previously stolen some quantities of the diesel before the day they were caught,’’ the prosecutor told the court.
He said that the offenses contravene sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 287 prescribes three years’ jail term for stealing while section 411 attracts two years for conspiracy.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs. O.A Olayinka, released them on bail of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Olayinka said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She fixed further hearing in the case for Nov. 17 for mention.