Driver Charged With Theft Of Commercial Bus

A commercial bus?driver, who allegedly stole a Volkswagen bus valued at N750, 000, was in Lagos on Thursday charged before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, Godspower Dikeocha, 30, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a charge of stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

But the prosecutor, ASP Austine Onwuemene, told the court that the accused stole the bus on Dec. 12 at 1.00 p.m. at Trade Fair Complex on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He alleged that the accused used another?key to open the door of the bus and drove?it away.

Onwuemene said the bus with registration no. XP 696 EPE belonged to Mr Hyacinth Maduekwe.

“The accused was, however, apprehended with the help of some people when Maduekwe raised an alarm,’’ he said.

The offence, he said, contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

Chief Magistrate E. A. Ogundare granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

The case was fixed for Jan. 25 for further hearing. (NAN)