MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 50-year old man, Everest Ihentuge, has chosen to go to prison than to provide a N7m Mercedes Benz SUV, which the owner, Ezeji Chigozie Charles, gave him to sell in Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Ihentuge, allegedly sold the SUV and converted the money to his personal use while insisting that he will not give the owner his money without giving any reason.

The incident happened at Ago Palace Way in Okota, Lagos.

The matter was reported to the Police. He was subsequently arrested and detained at the Area F Command, Ikeja, for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

During interrogation, he was said to have admitted that he was given the vehicle to sell and he declined to bring the money to the owner after selling it.

The Police told him that he will be charged before Court for his alleged conduct if he fails to bring the money or the vehicle. But he insisted that he will not bring the vehicle or the money and if the Police so wish, they can charge him to Court.

He was found culpable and consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for stealing and conversion of the said property under the Criminal Laws of the State.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till 24th July, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.