How Security Guard At Lagos Airport Disappeared With Passengers' N83m

A former security guard with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), David Akinniran, who allegedly absconded after stealing $230,000 (about N83,030,000) from two passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, was on Monday brought before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere.Akinniran, 40, was arraigned by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) before Justice Agnes Nicole-Clay.

He is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving property suspected to have been stolen.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Henry Obiazi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said Akinniran committed the alleged offences sometime in January 2016 at the company’s headquarters, NAHCO House, MMIA, Lagos.

Obiazi alleged that the defendant and his accomplices, who are at large, stole the money in tranches of $160,000, $20,000 and $50,000 from the office of their boss, Mr. Rahman Adeshola.

He said the stolen money was the property of two Nigerian businessmen, Uchenna Okafor and Okwudili Onwuka, who kept it in Adeshola’s custody for safekeeping.

The alleged theft was discovered when Okafor and Onwuka arrived at the MMIA to catch a flight to China and requested for the money, which they intended to use for their import business.

According to Obiazi, the offences contravened sections 280(1)(a)(b), 328(1),(2)(a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and punishable under same.

Akinniran pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defence counsel, Grace Adenubi, prayed the court to grant the accused bail. She assured the judge that Akinniran would be available for trial.

But Obiazi opposed her application for bail on liberal terms.

He prayed the court to either remand the defendant in prison pending trial, or impose strict terms that would ensure his appearance for trial.