A former guard with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), David Akinniran, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos High Court for allegedly absconding with $230,000 (about N83,030,000).

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 offences sometime in January, 2016 at NAHCO House, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, 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 money belonged to two businessmen, Uchenna Okafor and Okwudili Onwuka, who kept it in Adeshola’s custody.

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

Akinniran pleaded not guilty.

His counsel Grace Adenubi prayed the court to grant him bail on ‘’liberal terms’’. She promised that he would not jump bail.

But Obiazi opposed the granting of bail on liberal terms.

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

Obiazi said the defendant and his accomplices fled when the theft was discovered.

The prosecutor said Akinniran was arrested after a eight-month manhunt for him by the police.

Obiazi added: “The defendant is a flight risk.”

The case continues on Thursday.

Culled: thenationonlineng.net