By Sade Adewale

A 44-year-old driver, Tope Kayode, has been dragged before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ondo town, for allegedly diverting nine Panasonic air conditioners valued at N4,439,999, he was to deliver.

Kayode, was accused of diverting the property of Thermocool Nigeria Limited, being the driver to deliver the goods, and thereafter converted the money to his own use.

He is now facing a one- count charge bothering on converting money.

The prosecution alleged that he committed the offence on October 1, 2024, at Thermocool showroom, along Brigadier Ademulegun road in Ondo, contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Sections 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The charge sheet read in part, ”That you, Tope Kayode on October 1, 2024, at about 12 pm at Thermocool showroom along Brigadier Ademulegun road in Ondo, in the Ondo Magisterial District, did divert nine Panasonic air conditional valued at N4,439,999 property of Thermocool Nigeria Limited, being the driver to deliver the goods through waybill to the branch you sold the goods and converted the money to your own use.

The offence runs contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

But the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Supol Bernard Olagbayi, told the court that he would call three witnesses to testify in the case, and applied for a date to enable him study the case file.

The defence counsel, Israel ikuemonisan, prayed the court to grant his client bail, promising that he would not jump bail, but provide credible sureties.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Omofolarin, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must be blood relation, and residents within the jurisdiction, while they must show evidence of payment of tax for the current year.

Omofolarin adjourned the case till December 5, 2024 for trial.