An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 32-year-old driver, Olamide Bello, to 12 months imprisonment over theft of his employer’s car valued at N6.7 million.
Bello, whose address was not given, was sentenced without an option of fine.
He was first arraigned on Oct.12, 2016 and had pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery and wilful damage.
Bello was arraigned alongside his friend, David Adebola, 28.
The convict, however, changed his plea to “guilty’’ on Monday after several adjournments, although the second accused maintained his “not guilty ’’ plea.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. O. T. Tubi, reviewed the facts of the case, stressing that the facts were as stated in the charge sheet.
He said that the duo and others at large committed the offences between Sept. 3 and Sept. 9, 2016 at Oniru market, Lekki, Lagos.
Tubi said that Bello was a driver to the complainant, Mrs Fatimat Oseni, adding that he was sent on an errand with a Honda Civic car marked FD 304 LSR and valued at N6.7 million.
According to the prosecutor, Bello did not return with the said car.
Tubi also said that the convict falsely represented himself as Olamide Bello while his real name was Kehinde Bello Kehinde.
The prosecutor further told the court that the accused wilfully damaged the ignition key to the said car.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 285 (1), 312, 378 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Magistrate O. M. Ajayi found him guilty on each of the counts and sentenced him to one year each accordingly.
The magistrate, however, said that the sentence would run concurrently and would take effect from the day the judgment was pronounced.
The case was adjourned till June 14 for trial of the second accused.