Driver arraigned for stealing N13m aviation fuel

-Tanker driver appeared in court for allegedly diverting aviation fuel.

-He pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him.

A 38-year-old tanker driver, Julius Eruse, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 45,000 litres of aviation fuel worth N13m.

Naija News gathered that Julius, an indigene of Ugheli, Delta State, appeared before a magistrate, Mrs. Y.O. Aje-Afunwa on two counts charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

Julius, according to Punch, who was an employee of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solutions, diverted the fuel he was asked to transport from Warri, Delta State, to Lagos. He told the police that he sold 2,800 litres of the fuel to one Mrs. Bridget for N756,000.

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The police prosecutor, Inspector Peter Julius said the accused committed the offence on November 12, 2016, in the Apapa area of Lagos State. He said the offence contravened sections 278,285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The charge read, “That you, Julius Eruse, and others still at large, on November 12, 2016, at about 2pm at the Apapa area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; stealing, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

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“That you, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal 45,000 litres of aviation fuel valued at N13,000,000.00, property of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solutions, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 278 and punishable under Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”

However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N1.5m with two sureties each in the like sum, adding that the sureties must present evidence of tax payments to Lagos State and own verifiable property in the state.

The case was adjourned till October 17, 2017 for mention.