By Onozure Dania

A 40- year-old businessman, Peter Williams, was Monday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, for allegedly receiving a 40-feet empty Container valued at N1.5million.

Williams who resides at 20, Olubunmi street, Ijesha in Surulere, was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju.

The defendant is facing a one-count charge bordering on receiving stolen container, preferred against him by the police.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, said that the defendant committed the alleged offence on August 31, 2013 at about 5:30pm at Oshodi under bridge.  He told the court that the defendant received the said container from one Mike who is now at large.

The container, according to him,  with registration number MSKV 880313 valued at N1,500,000, belongs to Maesk Line Shipping Company. He said the offence committed is punishable under section 326 (1) (2)(a) and (b) of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

Earlier when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the one- count charge against him.

Magistrate Oshodi-Makanju, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two responsible and gainfully employed sureties in like sum. She adjourned the matter to November 25, 2013, for mention.

Meanwhile, a 29-year- old man, Ifeanyi Nwerem, was also arraigned before Magistrate Oshodi Makanju, for allegedly receiving stolen cars worth N1.5million. Nwerem, who resides at Apata Gbiti road in Akure, was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju.

The defendant is facing a one-count charge bordering on receiving stole cars preferred against him by the police. The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, said that the defendant committed the alleged offence on July 26, 2013 at about 8:30am at Ikeja area of Lagos.

He said that the defendant received one Honda Accord Saloon Car with registration number SMK 637 AW valued at N650,000 belonging to one Linus Obi.

Edet also alleged that Nwerem, on the same day also received a Toyota Camry Saloon Car with registration number GWA 756 AX worth N900,000, property of one Adebayo Ogundare.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under section 327 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However, when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N300,000, with two responsible sureties, who are gainfully employed in like sum. The matter was adjourned to October 31, 2013, for mention.