A motor mechanic, Kazeem Abiola, and a commercial driver, Mukaila Aderemi, have been arraigned before a Magistrate’s court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, for allegedly stealing a mini bus belonging to one Adetoyese Ojo.
The two accused persons, who were dragged to court by the state Police Command, were said to have conspired to steal the Suzuki mini bus released to Aderemi by the owner for intra-city commercial transit.
The prosecutor from the state Ministry of Justice, Idrees Mikaheel, told the court on Tuesday that the accused defrauded the complainant of his vehicle valued N485,000 after he released the bus to Aderemi to work with and bring him returns daily.
Testifying against the accused persons, the victim told the court that the mechanic, being his customer, had convinced him to release the vehicle to Aderemi after he vouched that he knew him very well.
The charge sheet read partly, “That you (accused persons) and others at large, on or before 26th of April, 2016 at about 6am at Oke-Ola area, Osogbo, conspired and stole a Suzuki mini bus (Korope) with registration number BDG 706 XN worth N485,000 and belonging to one Johnson Adetoyese.”
The prosecutor told the court that the offence committed was contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 419 and 383 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The accused persons had entered into not guilty pleas and their counsel, J.O. Babalola, had applied for their bail, which the court granted.
The presiding Magistrate, Olubukola Awodele, ordered the complainant to produce the engine receipt of the alleged stolen vehicle on the next adjourned date since the latter claimed the agreement for the release of the vehicle to the driver was made orally.
The case was adjourned till August 8 for continuation of hearing.
