Driver Steals Company's Vehicle Over Threat Of Sacking

 

Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, Lagos, have arrested a driver, Abah Ali, for allegedly stealing the vehicle of his employer.

It was gathered that Ali was employed by a company, Gharsu Service Limited, in July 2018, as a driver to the Chief Operating Officer.

PUNCH Metro gathered that 24 days after resumption, the suspect made away with the company’s Toyota Highlander.

In his statement to the police, the Borno State indigene said he stole the vehicle over a sack threat he received.

He said, “I asked my boss for money to take care of my mother, who is very sick in the village, but he shouted at me and threatened to sack me. That was why I was tempted to steal his vehicle that was in my care.

“I got a buyer, who offered to pay me N1.2m for the vehicle. An initial sum of N500,000 was given to me. I left for my hometown without the knowledge of my wife before I was arrested by the police. My intention was to return to Lagos to resolve the matter and plead with my boss.”

The 31-year-old was arraigned before an Ogba Magistrates’ Court on two counts of stealing.

The charge read, “That you, Abah Ali, and others at large, on July 20, 2018, around 9.30am at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; stealing, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

“That you, Abah Ali, and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did steal one silver Toyota Highlander 2008 model, with number plate LSR 37 EY, and two HP laptops, valued at N8.5m, property of Gharsu Service Limited, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 280 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The presiding magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola, admitted him to bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Fashola ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must have their addresses verified by the court.

He added that the sureties must present their bank statements for three months and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The magistrate adjourned the case till May 27, 2019.