Car dealer in court over alleged N1.5m vehicle theft

A 44-year-old car dealer, Jeremiah Ehindero, on Tuesday, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a vehicle valued at N1.5 million.

Ehindero is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 15 in Sango area of Ogun.

Ekundayo said that the defendant collected a Toyota Highlander Jeep with Registration No. LND 815 CK from the complainant, Mr Yusuf  Jamiu, that he wanted to show it to a customer, a representation he knew was false.

He said the defendant absconded with the Jeep, belonging to Mr Naheem Ogunlabi, Jamiu’s friend.

“Ehindero disappeared with the car until he was traced and arrested by the police,” the prosecutor said.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 carries 15 years imprisonment for fraud.

The Magistrate, Mrs A. M. Olumide-Fusika granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Sept. 27.