* Source : 123RF.com
Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
A project manager with a construction company Mr. Olowe Joseph Adeoye, was today, arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for alleged stealing of construction materials valued N378 million, from the construction site at Ilubirin Housing Project, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The 42 years old project manager was arraigned before Magistrate K. K. Awoyinka, on charges of conspiracy and stealing, by men of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (ForceCIID) Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
The project manager according to the Barrister Morufu Animashaun, a Legal Officer in the General Investigation Department of Force CIID, Ikoyi, Lagos sometimes in 2015, at Ilubirin Housing Project, conspired with others now at large, to steal some construction materials valued at $1 million.
The materials include: banut hydraulic rig, 600 pile driver banut and 6 tonner hammer
The materials according to Animashaun belonged to Howard Roark Construction Company Limited, where the defendanta last worked as project manager.
Animashaun while arraigning the defendant before the court on Wednesday, said the offences against the accused are contrary to sections 411, 280(1)(b) and punishable under section 278 of the Criminal laws of Cap. C17, Vol. 11, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
However, the project manager pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody, till the determination of the charge against him.
But counsel to the defendant, O. A. Oyekan, in his oral application, urged the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal term. Adding that the charges against him are bailable ones and that he is a first time offender who did not have previous criminal record.
Responding to the bail application, the prosecutor said though, granting bail is at the court’s discretion; he however, said granting bail to the defendant will jeopardize police investigation and arresting others involved in the alleged crime.
Ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Awoyinka, admitted the defendant to bail in the sun of N500, 000 with two sureties in the same sum.
One of the sureties, according to the magistrate must be a blood relation to the defendant. And that the sureties must show to court evidence of tax payment.
The matter has been adjourned till September 2, for commencement of trial.
