Operatives of the Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, have arrested and charged three suspects in connection with the alleged theft of 13 export containers, valued at ₦136,500,000, belonging to four major shipping lines. The containers were reportedly stolen from the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa.
The police identified two of the defendants, Olaitan Ojora and Abdulsalam Muktar Oladipupo, who allegedly leased the 13 empty export containers from shipping companies MSC, Hapag Lloyd, Maersk, and COSCO, under the pretence of using them to deliver goods.
However, instead of returning the containers as agreed, the defendants reportedly diverted and sold them to the third suspect, Agoro Yusuf Olamide.
Following this, the complainants, represented by Ibrahim Isiaka Damyaro, filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police. The IGP subsequently instructed the Maritime Police Command to apprehend the suspects. The police, through intelligence gathering and tracking, located the defendants at their hideout in Lagos.
After an investigation led by Inspector Libi Bassey and his team, the suspects were charged before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, sitting at the Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court, on a six-count charge of conspiracy, diversion, and theft.
According to the police prosecutor, Ben Ekundayo, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on 4 November 2022.
The charges, outlined in case number D/28A/2024, are punishable under sections 411, 287, and 326 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presiding Magistrate T. O. Abayomi allowed the defendants to continue enjoying the previous bail granted to them and adjourned the case until 15 January 2025 for mention.
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