Security Guard Docked For Stealing $230,000
The police in Lagos on Monday arraigned a former security guard of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), David Akinniran before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere for allegedly absconding after stealing $230,000.
Akinniran, 40, was arraigned before Justice Agnes Nicole-Clay on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving property suspected to have been stolen.
The prosecuting counsel, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Henry Obiazi told the court that Akinniran committed the alleged offences sometime in January 2016 at the company’s headquarters, NAHCO House, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Obiazi also alleged that the defendant and his accomplices, who are at large, stole the money in tranches of $160,000, $20,000 and $50,000 from the office of their boss, Mr Rahman Adeshola.
The prosecutor further claimed that the stolen money was the property of two Nigerian businessmen, Uchenna Okafor and Okwudili Onwuka who kept it in Adeshola’s custody for safekeeping.
He said the alleged theft was discovered when Okafor and Onwuka arrived at the MMIA to catch a flight to China and requested for the money, which they intended to use to fund their import business.
According to Obiazi, the offences contravened sections 280(1)(a)(b), 328(1),(2)(a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Akinniran, however, pleaded not guilty.
Based on the plea, the defence counsel, Grace Adenubi urged the court to grant her client bail. She assured the judge that Akinniran would be available for trial.
But defence counsel Obiazi opposed her application for bail on liberal terms.
He prayed the court to either remand the defendant in prison custody pending trial, or impose strict terms that would ensure his appearance for trial.
Obiazi told the court that the defendant and his accomplices absconded as soon as the theft was discovered.
The prosecutor said Akinniran was arrested after eight months of a manhunt by the police.
Obiazi added: “The defendant is a flight risk.”
Justice Nicole-Clay adjourned till February 22 for ruling on the bail application.
She ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the ruling.