The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned one Mukailu Mohammed before Magistrate O.Y. Adefope of the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly conspiring to commit a felony and stealing.
The defendant was arraigned on two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing bags of flour worth N3.6m from Golden Penny Flour Mill, Apapa, Lagos.
It was gathered that an investigation was initiated on a report filed by the complainant on August 9, 2023.
The complainant alleged that Mohammed, one of their drivers, was entrusted with a truck carrying 600 50 kilogrammes bags of flour for delivery to a customer in Agbara, Ogun State. However, it was later discovered that Mohammed did not deliver the flour as instructed. Instead, he diverted 120 bags, valued at N3,606,790.40, and abandoned the truck at the Golden Transport Company on the Oworoshoki Expressway, Gbagada.
Following the report, a team of detectives was assigned to the case.
They attempted to apprehend the defendant at his registered residence; however, he was not present. A court order was subsequently obtained to trace the defendant’s phone, which revealed his location in Plateau State.
Additionally, a court order was procured from the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Yaba, to freeze the defendant’s bank account. With the cooperation of the bank, the defendant’s details were retrieved, facilitating his apprehension.
The arrest took place on February 7, 2024, in Plateau State.
The Commissioner of Police for Plateau State, Hassan Yabanet, directed the detectives to the Divisional Police Office where the defendant was detained. He was subsequently transferred to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for interrogation.
Prosecutor Haruna Magaji informed the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on August 9, 2023. He added that the alleged offences contravene Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He informed the court that the bank statement and the police report were evidence that the defendant committed the alleged offences.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two charges levelled against him.
Magistrate Adefope ordered that bail of N500,000 should be paid and two sureties must be provided with evidence of residing in Lagos State.
The case was adjourned to April 17, 2024.
