Three oil company employees face N15m theft charge

Three employees of Tahir Oil Industries on Friday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft of N15 million.

The accused – Garba Usani, 49; Abdul Abdullahi, 55 and Luka Maza, 65 – are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and threat to life.

Usani was the financial controller; Abdullahi was the branch manger, while Maza was the company’s storekeeper.

The prosecutor, Insp. Nosa Watson- Uhunwamgbo, said the offences were committed between Jan. 21, 2001 and Nov.7, 2002 at the Ogba branch of Tahir Oil Industries Ltd.

He alleged that the accused stole N15 million and disappeared to Kano.

Uhunwamgbo said the complainant, one Alhaji Abba Tahir, alleged that the accused threatened to eliminate him and his family.

“The accused was earlier charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in 2007, but the prosecutor was unable to produce evidence to prosecute the accused.

“The Chief Magistrate then discharged the accused on Jan.17. The complainant reported the case to the police, which led to the re-arrest of the accused,” he told the court.

The offences contravened Sections 86, 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olatunbosun Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail, in the sum N200, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

He said one of the sureties must be a resident of Lagos and a community leader.

Further hearing has been adjourned to March 10.