Court Remands Bizman Over Illegal Conversion Of Heavy-Duty Vehicle

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded a businessman, Oyeyemi Philip, also known as Mr Olaiya, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for allegedly converting two heavy-duty trucks owned by Crane Fields Nigeria Limited for personal gain.

Justice Yellim Bogoro ordered that Oyeyemi be kept behind bars after he pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of fraud involving the illegal conversion of the trucks, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC alleges that the defendant fraudulently converted a CAT Bulldozer D7 and a CAT Excavator 320B.

The prosecutor, Sulaiman Sulaiman, told the court that the offence occurred in 2023 in Lagos, where Oyeyemi reportedly sold the machinery as scrap without authorisation.

Sulaiman also claimed that the defendant’s actions violate Sections 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The charge states: “that you Oyeyemi Olusogbon Philip, a.k.a Mr Olaiya, in 2023 in Lagos, fraudulently converted CAT Bulldozer D7 and CAT Excavator 320B, property of Crane Fields Nig. Limited, by selling them as scrap, and you thereby committed an offence under sections 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C.38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Considering his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) until the case is concluded.

The defendant’s lawyer requested a short date to file a bail application.

Justice Bogoro, after listening to both lawyers, adjourned the case to 29 June to hear the bail application and commence the trial.