Four men, whose names were given as Moshood Mukaila (39), Olatunde Olaniran (40), Ganiyu Bolaji (40), and Ganiyu Buhari (56) have been charged to the Apapa Magistrate Court by the police for conspiracy and stealing a 40-feet container belonging to the Inland Containers Nigeria Limited worth N50 million.
The defendants however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.
The charges read: “That you, Moshood Mukaila, Olatunde Olaniran, Ganiyu Bolaji, and others now at large, did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit conspiracy and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
“Also on the 28th October, 2016 Moshood Mukaila, Olatunde Olaniran, Ganiyu Bolaji and others now at large did divert a loaded bonded 1x40ft container No. MRKU 5248307 which loaded at APM Terminal on its way to Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, Kaduna valued N50 million and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 285 (5) (B) (F) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
“That you, Ganiyu Buhari, ‘m’, on 10th November, 2016, did receive a loaded container No. MRKU 5248307 and off loaded its contents in your warehouse at No. 12 Odota Street, Ilorin, Kwara State knowing same to have been stolen from Apapa Ports in Apapa Magisterial district property of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, Kaduna valued N50 million and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 285 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
One of the defence counsels, Wasiu Buhari prayed the court to grant his client bail with liberal bail.
Out of curiosity, the Magistrate asked to know the relationship between the 4th defendant and the defence counsel to which she was told that they are brothers.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Oshin, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties who must not be self-employed but working in reputable organizations and must provide evidence of tax payment.
The matter had been adjourned to 19th December, 2016 for hearing.