N31m theft: Five salesmen remanded in Ikoyi Prison

The Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos State, has remanded five salesmen in the Ikoyi Prison for allegedly stealing beverages worth over N31 million.

The accused persons, Adesokan Mutiu, Akande Samuel, Taiwo Aina, Akintunde Akeem and Oyinloye Wasiu, were arraigned on a two count charge of stealing.

They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Mrs. A.F.O Boioku, by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FARS, Adeniji Adele, Lagos.

The prosecuting counsel, C.N Odii, told the court that the suspects stole the beverages which were products of Glasso Smith Kline, GSK, from its owner, Mrs. Mojisola Adeniji, between August and December 2016, while she was out of the country.

The accused persons, who were working for Adeniji as salesmen in some of her shops around Ebute-Ero axis of the Lagos Island, allegedly stole N20million worth of goods, which she left in her shop before traveling. It was also alleged that additional goods, worth N11million was also taken on credit from GSK, by the accused persons while she was away. The businesswoman had to call in the police after the accused couldn’t explain what happened to the goods while she was overseas.

The charge sheet reads: “That you Adesokan Mutiu, Akande Samuel, Taiwo Aina, Akintunde Akeem and Oyinloye Wasiu, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did steal assorted soft juice drinks products of Glasso Smith Kline, GSK valued at N31, 981,411.00, property of Mojisola Adeniji and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 285 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. But the prosecuting counsel, asked the court to remand them in police custody as the Investigating Police Officers (IPO), led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. Garuba Oseni, were yet to complete their investigation.

Boioku granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties, who are gainfully employed. Boioku further ordered the accused persons to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison.