Woman arraigned over alleged N16m theft
By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
LAGOS—A 33-year- old woman, Josephine John, has been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court, over an alleged stealing of N16 million ($100,000) belonging to Alcateco Bureau de Change, where she worked.
Josephine allegedly absconded with the said sum ($100,000) which was brought to Alcateco Bureau de Change, by a customer who requested that the money be converted to naira.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emurehi, the money was handed over to the accused (Josephine) who was a staff of Alcateco Bureau de Change. However, when the plea was taken, Josephine (accused) pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against her.
Emurehi informed the court that the accused (Josephine) had on October 12, 2011 at Martins Street, Lagos conspired with others still at large to steal $100,000, property of Alcateco Bureau de Change, while working as a staff of the organisation.
In another development, a 45-year-old clearing agent, Obakemi Adeniyi, has been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court, Oyingbo, by Police from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, for allegedly defrauding one Mrs. Abiodun Lawal of N750,000.
Adeniyi was accused to have collected the said money from Lawal on April, 2011, after agreeing to assist her clear three trucks, which he failed to do. The N750,000 collected was not returned to the victim and a complaint was made to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.
He (Adeniyi), staff of Obass International Company Nigeria Limited, located on 21, Wharf Road, Apapa, was charged on a three count-charge of charge of conspiracy and fraud, which he pleaded not guilty to.
Count two of the charge read: “that you Obakemi Adeniyi and others now at large, sometime in April, 2011, at about 12 noon at Apapa in the Lagos Magisterial district with intent to defraud, did obtain from one Mrs. Abiodun Lawal, the sum of N750,000, under the pretence that you were going clear three unregistered trucks with its flat body valued about N10 million out of Roro Port Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap. C 17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. M. O. Olajuwon, granted the accused (Adeniyi) bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum, adding “the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos state government.”
Olajuwon adjourned the case till 20 December, 2011, for mention.
