Auto mechanic faces trial over alleged theft of customer’s car parts
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An auto mechanic, Wale Ojo, 42, who allegedly damaged and stole some parts from his customer’s car, yesterday, appeared before an Epe Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.
Ojo, who resides at Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and criminal damage to property.
He was accused of stealing and destroying some parts worth N145, 000 from his customer’s car.
The Police Prosecutor, Moses Oyekanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in February this year at Majek area of Ibeju-Lekki.
He said the complainant, Mr. Femi Owolabi, gave the accused his Toyota Corolla car, with registration no. EKY 894 ED, to fix the air conditioner.
Oyekanmi said the complainant paid the accused N33, 000 for the service, but he seized the car for three weeks without his permission.
“He kept trying to reach Ojo, but he did not take his calls.
“The complainant claimed he later saw his car parked at United Estate in Ibeju-Lekki and used his spare key to enter. When he opened the car, he discovered that some parts were missing,” the prosecutor told the court.
He listed the missing parts in the car as the exhaust catalytic converter, valued at N50, 000; the brain box, valued at N30, 000; the censor, worth N8, 000; two horn flex, valued at N15, 000 and a fuel pump, worth N8, 000.
He said the accused also damaged the brain box, the exhaust and the fuel pump and did not repair the air conditioner he had been paid for.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 399 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Section 287 prescribes three years for stealing, while Section 399 provides a seven-year jail term for criminal damage to property.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
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