Paul Iyoghojie

The police at Ilasan division, Lekki, Lagos, western Nigeria, have arrested a driver, Ongro Stephen Ishade, 26, for allegedly stealing his employer’s Toyota Sienna SUV valued at N5m and drove it to Kwara State, North Central Nigeria to look for a buyer for it just two weeks after he was employed.

The police alleged that the incident occurred on 18 January, 2016 at Probyn Road, Friends’ Colony, Aguigi, Lekki, Lagos when the suspect was sent on an errand by his employer, Sholape Akinola.

The driver instead drove his employer’s vehicle straight to Kwara State to look for a buyer for it.

Nemesis caught up with the driver when he was arrested by the police in Kwara State while driving around the vehicle to look for a buyer.

During interrogation, according to the police, the suspect from Cross River State, Southsouth Nigeria, allegedly confessed to the police that he stole the vehicle from his employer in Lagos to go and sell and use the proceeds to build a house for his parents in the village who have no accommodation.

Following his alleged confession, the police in Kwara State sent a signal to the police in Lagos State about the incident and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ilasan Division Lekki, Lagos, SP Onyinye Onwuamegbu, dispatched a team led by SGT. Orukotan Lonikola to Kwara State to bring the suspect and the stolen SUV back to Lagos.

The suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere magistrates’ court Lagos on a two-count charge of felony to wit, stealing.
Police prosecutor said the offences are punishable under sections 409 and 285(1) (7) (10) of the criminal laws of Lagos State.

The accused denied the police allegations in the open court when the charges were read to him, and Magistrate Mr. P. A Adekomaiya admitted him to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adekomaiya adjourned the case till 15 February, 2016 for mention while the defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison Lagos pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.