Trader Arraigned for Allegedly Stealing N120 Million Worth of Soap

DDM News

A Lagos-based businessman, Uchenna Nnaji, has been arraigned before the Lagos State High Court, Criminal Division, for allegedly stealing Crusader soap products valued at N120 million.

According to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the accused was brought before Justice Muyideen Abdul-Rahman Tejumade on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in connection with a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and theft.

The alleged incident occurred at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos in 2023. Nnaji, said to operate out of Borno Plaza in Balogun Market, is accused of conspiring with an accomplice still at large to unlawfully obtain and permanently deprive a business partner of merchandise.

In the first count, the prosecution accused Nnaji and the unnamed accomplice of conspiracy to commit felony, an offence contrary to Section 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, Cap 17, Vol. 3, 2015.

The second count charges the defendant with stealing under Section 280(2)(b), punishable under Section 287 of the same law.

Court documents reveal that the defendant allegedly dishonestly took cartons of Crusader soaps worth N120 million, belonging to one Chief Obih, with the intent to deprive him of his investment in the goods.

When the case was called, Nnaji, who had already spent eight days in a correctional facility, appeared in court and applied for bail through his counsel, Augustine Okafor.

The prosecuting counsel did not object to the bail application. Justice Tejumade granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be individuals of verified financial standing, must provide evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government, and must own landed property within Lagos.

Additionally, their addresses and recent photographs must be submitted for court verification.

The case has been adjourned until September 24, 2025, for trial to commence.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook