Two employees – Taofeek Afolabi, 25, and Lamir Yinusa, 37 – on Tuesday in Lagos appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, charged with stealing a container of goods valued N60 million.

The defendants are being tried for conspiracy and stealing.

The duo allegedly committed the offences on Dec. 7, 2020, at Igando Oloja, Ajah, Lagos, the Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court.

He said the defendants conspired to steal the 45 feet container with registration no. MSKU 469822(0) containing kitchen wares worth N60 million, property of Inland Container Nigeria Ltd. (ICNL).

“The complainant gave the truck to the defendants to deliver the goods inside it to their branch in Kano.

“While on transit the defendants, carted away the goods and were nowhere to be found. They were eventually arrested,” Ayorinde said.

He said the alleged offences contravened Sections 287(7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Our correspondent reports that Section 287(7) prescribes seven years’ jail term for stealing while section 411 attracts two years for conspiracy.

Following their pleas of not guilty, Magistrate Mrs O. A. Layinka, released the defendants on bail of N1million each with two sureties each in like sum.

Layinka said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidences of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate fixed further hearing for March 11.