Stories by Abiodun Bolujoko
A motor dealer, Habeeb Onimago, yesterday dragged one Mahmud Issa to a Revenue Court, sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State over alleged N3.5million scam.
In a bid to recover his car, Onimago, who is the complainant, reported the matter to the ‘B’ Division Police Station in Ilorin and it was transferred to Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), Onimago stressed that on 31st July, 2018, an unknown man visited his car stand at Asa Dam area, Ilorin and signified interest in purchasing a Lexus car ES350 2008 model with Chasis no. JTHBJ46G282176628.
The Lexus car, ash colour was valued at N3.5million.
On 2nd September, 2018, the FIR revealed that the complainant discovered that the car has been stolen when he got to his car stand.
During police investigation, the stolen car was traced and recovered in the possession of one Muhammed Sanni Ajia aka Olajide, who had initially approached Onimago for the purchase of the said car, Police report stated.
Also recovered in the custody of Sanni was a forged purchasing receipt of a motor dealer named AA Motors Nigeria Limited containing a phone no 07037376412 which belong to one Mahmud Isaac of No. 104 Asa Dam area, Ilorin.
Investigation also revealed that Isaa’s phone number appeared on the receipt claimed to be the dealer of the stolen car.
Issa was however docked before Magistrate Hauwa Buhari of Revenue Court while Ajia is still at large.
He was charged for the offences of criminal conspiracy and theft contrary to section 97 and 287 of penal code law.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Innocent Onoola, in his submission urged the court to remand the accused person.
He added that investigation is still ongoing to arrest the principal suspect saying if granted bail, he might jeopardise police investigation.
The accused person’s counsel, Samuel Umoh, urged the court to discountenance the prayer of the prosecutor, saying his client is still presumed innocent.
He urged the court to admit his client to bail, saying he will not jump bail nor tamper with police investigation.
The magistrate in his ruling, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N2million, with two sureties in which one of them must be a level 14 civil servant.
The case was however adjourned to 5th February, 2019.
