A truck driver, Semiu Ayodele, 32, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with theft of two pallets of Malta Guinness drinks valued N350,000.00.

Ayodele, who resides at No. 12, Adetola Street, Sango, Ogun State, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The prosecutor, Sgt. Joseph Ajebe, told the court that the offences were committed on Nov. 15, 2015, at Guinness Nigeria PLC, Ikeja in Lagos.

He said that the accused was a truck driver attached to Cryslad Nigeria Limited located at Ogba, Agege, Lagos.

“In November, the accused, with two others still at large, were asked to load some crates of Malta Guinness drinks from Guinness Nigeria PLC, Ikeja to deliver in Abuja.

“It was later discovered that the accused had stolen two pallets containing Malta Guinness canned drinks of about 144 crates. The accused sold the drinks and shared the money among themselves”, he said

Ajebe said the matter was reported at the police station by one Kayode Ayoade, the Chief Security Officer of Cryslad Nigeria Ltd. He said the offences contravened sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 285 stipulates a three-year prison sentence for offenders.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Alexander Komolafe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties must show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The magistrate adjourned the case to March 21 for hearing.

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