Ex-Dangote staff arraigned for stealing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned a former staff of Dangote Cement Plc, Sulaiman Musa, for alleged corruption.

The commission arraigned Mr. Musa before Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele of the Edo State High court sitting in Benin on a 4 count charge of intent to defraud, stealing and conspiracy to commit felony.

Mr. Musa was said to have in January 2017 in Benin conspired with two other men, named as Mustapha and Muhammed (both at large), to steal 900 bags of cement, tyres and rims valued at over N4 million.

One of the charges reads: “That you Sulaiman Musa , one Mustapha (still at large) and one Mohammed ( still at large) sometime in January 2017 in Benin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court , with the intent to defraud stole a trailer load of cement valued at N2,001,500.00 property of Dangote Cement Plc”.

When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

Consequently the prosecution counsel, Murtala Usman, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody.

However the defence pleaded with the court to grant his client bail as he had been on an administrative bail.

After listening to all the arguments, Justice Ohimai adjoined to July 17, 18 and 19 for commencement of trial and ordered the defendant be remanded on Oko prison custody.