Woman in court for stealing N11.9m tomato paste

A 39-year-old woman, Blessing Ebele, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 5,500 cartons of Jacomo tomato paste belonging to Viscous Global Investment.

The stolen tomato is said to be valued at N11, 960, 000.

The police said the incident happened at the Iddo terminus, Iddo area of Lagos State.

She was  arraigned on two counts of fraud and stealing.

The charges read, “That you, Blessing Ebele, on May 7, 2013, at Iddo terminus, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, did obtain 5,500 cartons of Jacomo tomato paste valued at N11, 960, 000 property of Viscous Global Investment, Iddo Railway Terminus, Lagos, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312(1)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

 “That you, Blessing Ebele, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did steal 5,500 cartons of Jacomo tomato paste, valued N11, 960, 000 property of Viscous Global Investment, Iddo Railway Terminus, Lagos and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

She pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial.

The defence counsel urged the court to grant her bail in liberal terms.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.A Demi-Ajayi, admitted her to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties each in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till January 15, 2014.

Copyright PUNCH.