Lagos Driver on Trial for Stealing N2.3m Drinks

A 45-year-old driver, Joseph Effiong, is on trial before Chief Magistrate L.O. Owolabi of the Samuel Ilori Court, Ogbà, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing drinks worth N2.3m belonging to his employer.

Effiong was employed by a company, GPC Energy and Logistics Ltd, in 2019 to drive trucks to deliver drinks to customers.

The company said the total value of drinks stolen by Effiong and his accomplices now at large was N2,314,580.

The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, is facing two counts of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Josephine Ikhayere, said the offences were punishable under sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

At the resumption of trial on Wednesday, the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Aidamebor Victoria, was cross-examined by the defence counsel, O. Okpapa.

She said police investigations showed that the defendant had been stealing the company’s goods for a while.

“Investigations revealed that the company has been giving him the goods to deliver to customers. Most of the time, the customers will return some goods also, which till date, are still in his care,” she added.

Chief Magistrate Owolabi adjourned the matter till December 1 for continuation of trial.