A 32-year-old driver, Donald Francis, who allegedly stole 155 bags of fertiliser worth N4.6 million from his employer, on Thursday appeared before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court.
Francis, a resident of Ungwan Boro area of Kaduna, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and forgery.
The Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant, who was an employee of JJK Haulage &Transport Company, committed the offences sometime in June.
Leo said that the defendant was to deliver the fertiliser to one of the company’s customers in Abuja, but sold the goods to somebody else.
He said that the defendant forged the company’s waybill and converted the proceeds from the goods to his personal use.
The prosecutor said that when the customer did not get the goods, he notified the defendant’s employer.
He further stated that the company reported the case to the police, leading to the arrest of the defendant.
The offences, according to him, contravene sections 58, 217 and 221 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
Newsextra24 reports that Section 217 prescribes seven years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.
Emmanuel said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to Kaduna State Government.
He also said that the sureties must be resident of Kaduna State and have their addresses verified by the court’s registrar.
The magistrate, thereafter, adjourned the case till Aug. 12 for hearing.
