IGUH, JSC (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellants, Adetokunbo Ogunlana, Segun Adebayo Onile, Kayode Bakare and Caroline M. Ogunlana along with four others were arraigned on the 12th day of January, 1987 before the High Court of Lagos State, holden at Ikeja on a two count information. They were charged in count one with conspiracy to commit felony, to wit, stealing contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 31, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 1973 and in count two with stealing 649,000 Champion Sparkling Plugs Model N.97, valued at N1,998,920.00 property of Alhaji Yinusa Saliu Layeni contrary to section 390(9) of the Criminal Code. Each of them pleaded not guilty to both counts and was released on bail.
The prosecution called twelve witnesses at the trial. In the course of the trial, the 5th accused person, Samuel Olaiya Awolaja jumped bail. The case against him was consequently withdrawn and he was discharged but not on the merits.
The remaining seven accused person…