According to Vanguard, A 24-year-old dispatch rider, Alex Williams, appeared before a Magistrates’ Court in Kubwa, Abuja, where he admitted to using his employer’s motorcycle as collateral to secure a loan. The defendant, who resides in Dutse Alhaji, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft during the court proceedings.
Williams told the court that he had approached his employer, Mrs. Marthamabis Ezekiel, for financial assistance to celebrate Christmas but was denied. In response, he used the delivery motorcycle entrusted to him by his employer as collateral without her consent. He pleaded with the court to show leniency while admitting his wrongdoing.
The prosecution counsel, John Okpa, urged the court to order Williams to pay compensation to his employer. He cited section 319 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) as a basis for the request, emphasizing the financial loss incurred by the complainant due to the defendant’s actions.
Magistrate Nneaka Lesley convicted Williams based on his guilty plea. The court ordered his remand at Kuje Correctional Facility and adjourned the sentencing hearing until February 4. This decision came after consideration of the arguments presented by the prosecution.
According to Okpa, Mrs. Ezekiel reported the incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Dawaki on January 12. She had employed Williams to operate her Jinora Logistics motorcycle for delivery services, which he later used as collateral.
The prosecution revealed that Williams went missing with the motorcycle on December 4. He allegedly claimed to have been involved in an accident and demanded N50,000 from Mrs. Ezekiel. However, investigations showed that he had sold the motorcycle without her permission.
The defendant’s actions were said to contravene section 288 of the Penal Code, which addresses offenses related to theft. The prosecution argued that the act not only caused financial distress to the complainant but also disrupted her business operations.
He said: I asked my boss, Mrs Marthamabis Ezekiel to give me money for the Christmas celebrations but she refused.
