7 Lekki Concession Coy Staff Sent To Prison Over Alleged Fraud

PAUL IYOGHOJIE

Seven members of staff of the Lekki Concession Company, LCC, the builders and operators of the Lekki Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link bridge have been arraigned before a Lagos State magistrate court for allegedly defrauding their employer of the sum of N100,000.

The suspects are Osadare Opeyemi, 36, William Nomiyugh, 33, Akinbami Akinremi, 36, Oluwafemi Odejobi, 32, Olayiwola Temidayo, 32, Anthony Akinyele, 39 and Suleiman Abayomi, 30.

They were all arrested by the police at the Maroko division, Lekki, Lagos and after investigation by Sgt. Sekinat Akingbola and her team, the accused persons were arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate court on a two count charge of stealing.

Police prosecutor, Sgt. Okete Ejima, informed the court in charge No. S/13/2016 that the accused persons committed the alleged offense between October and November, 2016 at the Lekki – Ikoyi link bridge toll plaza, Lekki Phase I, Lagos where they were attached as toll collectors.

Ejima told the court the accused persons converted the sum of N100,000 to their use from the proceeds they realised from toll collection instead of remitting the money into their employers account.

He said the management of LCC uncovered the fraud when they audited their account, adding the offenses the accused persons committed were punishable under sections 409 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and magistrate Mrs. O. O. Otitoju admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with one surety each in like sum.

Otitoju directed that none of the sureties must be a teacher, hospital, health or government parastatal staff.

She adjourned the case till 19 December, 2016 for mention while all the defendants were taken to Ikoyi prison, Lagos pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.