Three ship crew members: Obinna Dimkpa, Joseph Bribebe and Adetu Olatunde on Monday appeared at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged theft of 8,000 litres of petroleum products worth N8.4 million.
Dimkpa, 43, Bribebe, 55, and Olatunde, 41, were arraigned alongside a boat operator, John Aworetan, 30, on charges of conspiracy and stealing.
They, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 6 at Offshore Anchorage, Lagos.
Igbinosa said that the defendants stole 8,000 litres of petroleum products, belonging to the complainant, Mr Goke Ojo.
He said that the defendants loaded the products into a boat and took it to an unknown destination without the consent of the complainant.
According to Igbinosa, the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Section 287 stipulates three years’ jail term for stealing, while Section 411 provides two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
The magistrate, Mrs F. F. George, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
George ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government (LASG).
She adjourned the case until July 29 for mention.
