A 34-year-old mechanic, Adewunmi Niyi Taiwo, has landed in serious trouble after allegedly stealing a customer’s Lexus GX 450 SUV worth N450 million from his employer’s workshop and crashing it into an electrical pole, causing N15 million worth of damage.
Taiwo, who works with Fixi45 Technologies Company Limited, was arrested by officers from the Maroko Police Division, Lekki, Lagos, and dragged before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for the shocking incident.
Police reports revealed that Taiwo took the luxury vehicle—with registration number FST 101 FP—without informing his employer, allegedly heading to an unknown location before the accident occurred.
When the car remained missing for three days and Taiwo’s phone was unreachable, the alarmed employer reported the matter to the police.
Officers swiftly launched a manhunt, tracking and arresting Taiwo at a hideout in Lagos.
Upon interrogation, Taiwo led investigators to the crash site, where the wrecked SUV was towed to the station as evidence.
Following an investigation by Inspector Monday Otolor and his team, Taiwo was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, on two counts of stealing and causing damage to a vehicle worth N450 million.
Prosecution counsel Reuben Solomon told the court that the accused committed the offence at Dr. Ezekuse Close, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, and violated Sections 287(7) and 339 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Taiwo, however, pleaded not guilty. Magistrate N.S Wahab granted him bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties in like sum.
Until he meets his bail conditions, Taiwo will remain in custody at Ikoyi Correctional Facility.
The case has been adjourned till March 28, 2025, for mention.
