Pharmacist, 63, faces N8m car theft charge

AN Ajegunle-Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday admitted a 63-year-old pharmacist, Anyinibu Akanbi, to bail over alleged stealing of a used car valued at N8 million.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Owolabi, in his ruling, granted the defendant bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum, as part of the bail conditions.

Owolabi said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

He, however, adjourned the case until Oct. 14, for mention.

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Akanbi, a resident of Satellite Town, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Alexander Esebamen told the court that the defendant committed the offences in April at Tin-Can Island Apapa, Lagos.

Esebamen said that the defendant fraudulently conspired with three others still at large to steal a Toyota Tacoma car valued at N8 million from the complainant, Mr Emmanuel Odeh.

He said that the complainant gave the contract to the defendant, his friend, to help him clear the said vehicle from the wharf.

The prosecutor said that after the defendant had cleared the car, he lied to the complainant that the car had been stolen.

Esebamen said that all efforts to trace the car proved abortive.

According to him, the complainant reported the case to the Area Command, Western Ports, Tin-Can Island, while the defendant was later apprehended.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years jail term for conspiracy, upon conviction.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.