Wheelbarrow Pusher Arraigned for Stealing N200,000, Bag of Rice

 

Police prosecutor Friday Eze told the court that Nwankwo also stole the sum of N200,000 he found in a nylon in the shop of Okereke.

Eze said the accused, who resides at the Iba new town, was standing trial on a count-charge of stealing.

He said that Nwankwo committed the offence on July 30 when he entered Okereke’s shop at the Iyana-Iba market on the pretence of waiting to assist a customer.

The prosecutor explained that while Okereke was bargaining with his customer, the accused removed a bag of Tomato brand of rice and a nylon bag containing N200,000.

Eze said the accused was about fleeing when Okereke noticed the movement and accosted him instantly.

He told the court that the accused claimed that he thought the rice had been bought by the customer, and was only trying to convey it to the bus stop, but the customer denied giving him any order to help her convey the rice.

``The nylon bag was also recovered from the accused and he was immediately taken into custody,’’ Eze said.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 285 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate T.O. Shomade granted the accused bail in the sum of N208, 000 with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned further mention of the case to Sept. 14.