By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
LAGOS—A 39-year-old man, Adeleke Arogundade (a.k.a. Akanni Moshood Kayode) has been brought before a Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, for stealing $96,000 belonging to a bureau de change operator, Idowu Akinfolarin.

Arogundade, a Bachelor of Arts Degree holder in Philosophy, was said to have stolen the money on May 18, 2009 at Kosoko Street, Lagos Island, within Lagos Judicial Division.

The charge, with Suit No. LCD/138/2010 read: “Adeleke Arogundade on or about May 18, 2009 at Kosoko Street, Lagos Island, within the Lagos Judicial Division, stole $96,000 property of Idowu Akinfolarin, an offence contrary to Section 383 (1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C. 17 Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.”

In a statement made to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, the accused said that on May 18, 2009, while working as a staff of Akinfolarin’s bureau de change, he was sent to collect the money ($96,000) from one Abimbola Akinola and was supposed to take same to Cotonou, Benin Republic.

But after collecting the money, he (Arogundade) allegedly made off with the money to stay with his friend, Kazeem Adebayo, at Owode-Idiroko, Lagos, where he was arrested by the police from Owode Police Station.

It was gathered that the accused did not inform his friend, Adebayo, that his employer’s alleged $96,000 that was with him (Arogundade).

The accused was arrested on July 21, 2009 with his wife and friend, Kazeem, and were all detained at Owode Police Station before they were handed over to policemen from Panti.

The case was adjourned till January 17, 2012, for hearing.