Trader steals 36,000 bags of rice worth over 26million

Trader Steals 36,000 Bags Of Rice  

A 30-year old trader was arressted by the lagos police and was arraigned before the Ebute-Metta Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Oyigbo, Lagos, southwest, Nigeria, for allegedly stealing 36,000 bags of Stallion rice.

The accused, Murtala Issa, a trader at Apapa, was alleged to have conspired with 10 others now at large to steal the rice belonging to a businessman, Alhaji Sanni Bala, also a trader in Apapa.

The value of the rice, according to the police, is N26,700,000.
The police prosecutor alleged further that 559 bags of the stolen bags of rice, valued at over N4 million were recovered from him.

Issa was arraigned on a three-count-charge of conspiracy, stealing and unlawfully possession of stolen goods.
Inspector Ajala Abeyi, the Prosecuting Police Officer, told the court that the offences were punishable under Sections 516, 390(9) and 427 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17, Vol.11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Abeyi also urged the court not to grant the defendant bail on the premise that he and others had earlier jumped police bail before he was re-arrested and charged to court.
The presiding magistrate, Mr. M. O. Olatunji, opposed the prosecutor’s application and admitted the defendant on bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties.

Olatunji also ordered that the sureties must show to the court payment receipt of three years tax to the Lagos state government and means of livelihood.
They must also be residents within the magisterial district and one of them must be a blood relation to the defendant.
The case was adjourned till 21 December, 2011 for mention.

The defendant was moved to Ikoyi Prison when he could not meet the bail conditions.