A tanker driver, John Mathias, who allegedly stole diesel product valued at N17.8 million, property of Haido Oil and Gas, was on Thursday in Lagos granted N2.1 million bail.
The defendant, 45, is standing trial on charges of conspiracy and stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa of Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, in her ruling, said that the defendant should provide two sureties as part of the bail conditions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) Aje-Afunwa said that one of the sureties must be a property owner in Lagos and should be gainfully employed.
She said that in addition, the sureties should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Peter Nwangwu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan.10 at 6.00p.m. at Ibeto Oil and Gas Depot and Integrated Oil and Gas, both located at Apapa, Lagos.
He alleged that the defendant conspired with others still at large to steal the product.
“The defendant stole 90,000 litres of diesel product which was loaded in two trucks with registration numbers SMK 462 XY and KTU 79 XM valued at N17.8 million, property of Umaru Musa of Haido Oil and Gas.
“The defendant and his other accomplice absconded with the diesel product to an unknown destination,’’ the prosecutor said.
According to Nwangwu, the defendant was later apprehended by the police after investigation.
The offences contravened Sections 287 (5) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).
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