LAGOS – A 40-year-old driver, Samuel Harrison, who pleaded guilty to the theft of his employer’s bus, is to spend the next 12 months behind bars, a Lagos court ruled on Friday.
An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, said the driver was found guilty on all the three counts.
The Magistrate, Mrs Funmilayo Dalley, said:“I have considered the fact that the defendant is a first time offender and that the vehicle has been recovered.
“He is hereby sentenced to one year imprisonment on counts one, two and three which is to be served concurrently. [eap_ad_2] Harrison, whose address is unknown, had earlier entered a guilty plea to the three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and forgery.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large at 8.00 a.m. on Aug. 4 at No. 2, Osbourne Road, Ikoyi.
He said the driver stole a Toyota Previa bus with registration no. KSF 211 CA valued at N1million belonging to VOEN Associates Ltd.
“The accused absconded with the company’s vehicle to Port Harcourt where he forged the vehicle documents and sold the bus to an undisclosed buyer.
“The complainant reported the theft to the authorities who in turn traced the stolen bus to Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.’’
The offences violated Sections 285, 363 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, he said.
Sections 285 and 363 prescribe three years imprisonment for stealing and forgery. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]
