By Deborah Akpede
Lagos – A 24-year-old casual employee, Michael Okafor, on Thursday admitted stealing 30 bottles of 7up drink from the bottling company.
Okafor admitted guilt before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court where he was arraigned on a count charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.I Raji, remanded Okafor at the Kirikiri Prisons custody, and adjourned the case until Oct. 11 for review of the facts and sentencing.
According to the prosecutor, Sgt.Yomi Egunjobi, the accused stole the drink worth N3,000 on Sept. 17 at the SevenUp Bottling Company premises, Oregun, Lagos.
“The accused stole his employer’s drink after the day’s job,” he said.
“The security guard on duty sighted him throwing the bottles of drink through the fence to the other side.
“When he accosted him, the accused wanted to escape, but the guard prevented him.
“The accused, who confessed to the crime, attributed it to the handiwork of the devil, and pleaded for mercy,’’ the prosecutor submitted.
He noted that the offences contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section prescribes three years’ imprisonment as penalty for stealing.