Bullion van driver in court for alleged theft of N17.3m

BY ONOZURE DANIA
LAGOS — A 45-year-old bullion van driver, Olusegun Fatoki, was yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, for allegedly stealing  N17.3 million, property of Guaranty Trust Bank.

Fatoki, who was docked before Magistrate Demi Ajayi, is facing a one-count charge bordering on stealing.

Fatoki was said to be a staff of the bank at the Adeyemo Alakija, VictoriaIsland branch where he worked as head of cash movement department.

The police prosecutor, Corporal Sunday Ibrahim, told the court that Fatoki allegedly stole $100,000 and 10,000 Euros, while he was on duty with five of his colleagues, who were off loading the money from other branches.

He said the crime happened on March 8, 2013, at Adeyemo Alakija, VictoriaIsland branch of the bank.

Ibrahim further claimed that Fatoki was inside the bullion van, while they were off-loading  the cash and he left the equivalent of N17.3 milion  behind in the van.

According the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under section 287(1)(b),285(5)(e), of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the one count charge proffered against him by the police.

Magistrate Ajayi, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum, one of the sureties must be a blood relation, gainfully employed and resident in Lagos state.

She added that the surety must be at least 40years of age and she adjourned the case to April 29,2013, for mention.