MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Police operatives from the Lagos State Command have finally arrested a businessman who bought N54m worth of Honeywell Spaghetti from two haulage carriers, Abdullahi Yahaya, 48 and Jubril Abubakar, 39, who allegedly diverted the products they were entrusted to deliver to a company, IOS Global Logistics Limited. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 38-year old businessman, Sani Alhassan, was arrested at Taiwo Sabon Garin Road in Kaduna town, Kaduna State, after a painstaking investigation by the Police from the Area F Command, Ikeja, Lagos.

The suspect, Alhassan, has been brought to Lagos and charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for receiving 4, 725 cartons of stolen Honeywell Spaghetti.

Alhassan was charged before the Court alongside two suspects, Yahaya and Abubakar, believed to be the driver and conductor respectively, who were entrusted to carry 4,725 cartons of the spaghetti to the owner.

The haulage carriers, on getting to Shagamu highway in Ogun State, reportedly conspired, diverted the goods, sold them at give away prices and escaped without any trace while disconnecting every communication they had with the owner.

The matter was reported to the Police at Area F Command, Ikeja. The operatives moved into action, tracked the suspects, eventually arrested and detained them at the Command for interrogation over their alleged conduct.

During interrogation, they admitted to have sold the items and had no money to refund the owner because they have shared and spent the money.

They also gave information about the person who bought the items from them and mentioned Alhassan, who was arrested in Kaduna State and brought to Lagos for prosecution before the Court.

They all pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since Alhassan pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to merge the defendants together for prosecution.

Thus, Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, granted them bail in the sum of N3m 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 26th June, 2024, for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.