A driver, Mohammed Garba, 34, and two others, who allegedly stole 1,200 bags of brown rice valued at N10.8 million, were on Friday charged before an Apapa Chief Magistrates' Court, Lagos.

The others are: Tasiu Rabiu, 30 and Abdullahi Liman, 35.

The accused, who are all residents of Marine Beach, Mobil Road, Apapa, Lagos, are standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.

The prosecutor, Insp. Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that the accused and others still at large, committed the offences on Nov. 22, 2012 at about 12.00 p.m. at I.R.S. Rice Mill in Apapa, Lagos.

He said the accused and their accomplices diverted a truck load of 1,200 bags of brown rice, property of I.R.S. mills, to an unknown destination.

Ojaokomo said that the offences committed contravened Sections 285 and 409 of Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

She said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions, and adjourned hearing in the case to Feb. 14.

NAN