Court arraigns construction engineer for allegedly stealing N2m worth of cement

Police on Tuesday arraigned a 37-year-old engineer, Ayodele Ade-Aina, at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 800 bags of cement.

The accused, who lives at Aggrey Road, Yaba in Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and false pretext.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah alleged that the accused, under false pretext, obtained 800 bags of Lafarge cement valued at N2 million, property of Kazab Heritage Ltd.

Unah alleged that the accused committed the offences sometime in February, at No. 10 Olorunbe St., Wemabod Estate, Ikeja.

He told the court that the accused ordered the delivery of 800 bags of cement from the company, under the pretext that he would pay in two weeks from the date of delivery, but failed to remit the said sum.

He said the offences violated Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Reports show that Section 287 stipulates seven years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for false pretext for an offender if convicted.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

The Magistrate, Mr. A. A. Fashola granted the accused engineer bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Fashola said the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

He further ordered that the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the court’s registrar as part of the bail conditions and adjourned the case until July 16 for mention.

Credit: Nigeria News