2 In Trouble Over Diversion, Sale Of 33, 000 Litres Of Petrol

Two men, who allegedly stole petroleum product worth N 2.1 million, were on Tuesday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, the duo — Christopher Nnanna, 42; and Timber Chuba, 53 — whose addresses are not yet known, however, entered a not-guilty plea.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the two and others still at large, committed the offence on Dec. 31, 2011 at a filling station at Mile 12, Lagos.

He said the accused stole 33, 000 litres of petrol, property of one Abdullahi Abubakar.

Ibrahim said the accused, who operated as agents at the NNPC depot in Lagos, had been assisting marketers to provide drivers and vehicles to convey allocated petroleum products.

“The accused conspired with the driver, diverted the fuel to another location and sold it,” he alleged.

The offence, Ibrahim said, contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Magistrate O. A. Botoku admitted the accused to a bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the case to Feb. 8 for further hearing.