By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The trial of a Limited liability company, Jokapat Advanced Logistics & Trade Operation Centre Limited of 22, Wharf Road Apapa Lagos State and seven other defendants, alleged to have diverted and stolen two containers containing disassembled steel Electricity transmission towers valued N100 million is scheduled to commence on October 31 before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The four-count amended charge was filed before Justice Abimbola Awogboro by two prosecuting counsel from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, E.K Ugwu and O.O. Fakolujo.
It was alleged that Jokapat Advanced Logistics &Trade Operation Centre Limited, the Managing Director of Jopakpat Advanced Logistics & Trade Centre Ltd, Patrick Ocheme, Michael Ashiru, Gbolahon Samuel, Kayode Oyebanji Nurudeen , Olarenwaju Abiola and Vincent Sammy (now at large), sometime in October, 2021, at 2nd Rainbow, along Mile Two /Oshodi Express Road, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable court, did conspire among themselves to commit a felony, to wit: stealing by diversion of two(2) x 20ft containers with Nos: MEDU 6336802 and MEDU 6513169, worth over one hundred million naira (N100million), each containing disassembled steel Electricity transmission towers for National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), procured by the Federal Government of Nigeria and meant for Ikom and Obudu sites in Cross River State.
It was also alleged that the containers were being conveyed by a truck with Registration No. XLE-127-XA, to Owode Onirin, Mile 12, Kosofe Local Government Area, of Lagos State, where it was sold to some people and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (As Amended).
In count 3 of the criminal charge, Mutiu Lawal (a.k.a ‘ARE’) , Ahmed Olanrewaju Azeez (a.k.a ‘OWOEGBE’) and others (at large), sometime in October, 2021, at Owode Onirin, Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves and others (at large) to receive stolen property, namely: Pieces and disassembled steel Electricity transmission towers for National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) contained in two(2)x 20ft containers with Nos. MEDU 6336802 and MEDU 6513169, worth over one hundred million naira (N100million) and meant for Ikom and Obudu sites in Cross River State, same being conveyed by a truck with Registration No. XLE-127-XA, knowing the same to have been stolen and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap.C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (As Amended).