CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 19-year-old sales girl, Mistura Ahmed, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court over alleged theft of N5,200,000.00 belonging to her employer at Ile Epo Market, Oke Odo area of Lagos State.
The defendant appeared before the court on a one-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offence was said to have occurred on the 4th day of June, 2026 at Shop 34, Gheer Famuyiwa Block, Ile Epo Market, Oke Odo, within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
The prosecution alleged that Mistura Ahmed, who was employed as a sales girl, dishonestly converted the sum of Five Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira only to her own use.
The money was said to be proceeds of sales entrusted to her by her employer, Nats Kitchen Co Enterprises, during the course of her duties at the shop.
The charge stated that the defendant’s action amounted to criminal breach of trust, as she was responsible for handling sales and remitting money to the company.
The prosecution said the alleged act contravened Section 280 (1) (a) and (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The offence is said to be punishable under Section 287 (7) of the same law, which deals with stealing by persons in position of trust.
The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge sheet was Inspector Folorunsho Aminat of Oke-Odo Division, Lagos State. Her contact number was also indicated on the document.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oke-Odo Division was CSP Akande R. Ajoke. The division is responsible for policing Ile Epo Market and its environs.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding judge, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Center pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice which will determine the jurisdiction.
Legal experts say the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and that the prosecution bears the burden of proving the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.