A Lagos-based businessman, Oyeyemi Olusogbon Philip, also known as Mr. Olaiya, has been remanded by arraigned a Federal High Court, Lagos court, following his arraignment on alleged unlawful conversation of two heavy duty trucks.
Justice Yellim Bogoro who presided over the court ordered the remand of the Oyeyemi after he pleaded guilty to a count charge made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of alleged fraud involving unlawful conversation of heavy-duty trucks.
The EFCC accused the defendant of fraudulent conversion of a CAT Bulldozer D7 and a CAT Excavator 320B belonging to Crane Fields Nigeria Limited for personal gain.
The prosecutor, Barrister Sulaiman I Sulaiman told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometimes 2023 in Lagos.where the defendant reportedly sold the machines as scrap without authorization.
The defendant’s act according to the prosecutor contravened Section 383 and is punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Charge against the defendant reads: “that you Oyeyemi Olusogbon Philip, a.k.a Mr. Olaiya, sometime in 2023, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently converted to your own use CAT Bulldozer D7 and CAT Excavator 320B by selling same as scrap, properties of Crane Fields Nig. Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C.38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Based on his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand him in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services NCoS pending the determination of the charge.
But the defendant through his lawyer asked for a short date to enable him file his bail application.
Justice Bogoro after listening to parties’ submissions, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCos’ custody, pending when his bail application would be filed and heard.
The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to June 29, for the commencement of defendant’s trial.
