THREE men, Chidiebere Eugene, Promise Okechukwu, and Ugochukwu Maduabuchi were on Monday docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged theft of fuel pumps valued N9.3m.
Eugene, 22, Okechukwu, 30, and Maduabuchi, 22, whose addresses were not given, are being charged with conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property to which they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between 2024 and Feb. 2025, at Ladipo Market, Mushin area of Lagos.
Ikhayere alleged that Eugene, stole 500 pieces of fuel pump valued N9.3 million, belonging to the complainant, Mr Charles Eze.
She said that Eugene sold the pumps to Okechukwu and Maduabuchi, adding that within the period, Okechukwu and Maduabuchi had received no fewer than 500 stolen fuel pumps from the first defendant.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 328 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N650,000, with two sureties each in like sum.
Owolabi said that the sureties must be gainfully employed, and should provide evidence of tax payments to the state government.
He adjourned the case until Aug. 15, for hearing.(NAN)
