Bus conductor jumps into ocean after stealing N40,000

Tinubu Magistrate Court. 

A 26-year-old bus conductor, Nurudeen Suleiman, has jumped into the Atlantic Ocean after stealing N40, 000.

He was charge before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on Tuesday.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of stealing before Magistrate Salama Matepo.

Police prosecutor, Superintendent Austin Orji, said the accused committed the offence on March 30, 2014 at about 4.30 p.m. at the Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He alleged that the accused had approached the complainant, one Mr. Segun, for financial assistance.

“The man had brought out some naira notes to give Suleiman and in the process, some fell off.

“The accused on the pretext of helping to pick the money kept N40, 000 and handed over the rest to the complainant.

“The complainant suspected a foul play and before he knew it, Suleiman had jumped into the Atlantic Ocean to avoid being caught.

“He stayed in the ocean for about 30 minutes to allow the divers that had attempted to arrest him leave,’’ Orji said.

He said the accused was later apprehended by some security men when he came out.

The offence, Orji noted, contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Suleiman, however, pleaded not guilty.

In his ruling, the magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to April 23, 2014.