Court Remands Saleslady For Alleged N5.2m Theft, Calling Bizman, Wife Ritualists

An Eti-Osa Chief Magistrate’s Court, has remanded a 23 year-old saleslady, Nifemi Friday, in the Kirikiri facility of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), for alleged stealing of goods worth N5.2 million and defamation of character.

Magistrate (Mrs) T. F. Oyaniyi, who presided over the court, remanded the defendant on Tuesday, after she pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge made against her by the police.

The police in the charge marked ET/C/18/2025, accused the defendant of stealing the goods at a Mall, and calling a businessman, Mr. Lateef Lawal and his wife Liz Anjorin, ritualists.

The defendant was arraigned before the court on the charges by the prosecutor, inspector Adeleye Ganiu, of Ogombo Police division, Lagos.

Arraigning the saleslady, the prosecutor told the court that the she committed the offences on December 23, 2024, at about 1.00 p.m at Obas Mall Okun Ajah, in Eti-Osa of Lagos State.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant apart from the goods she allegedly stole, she also acted in a manner that likely to cause breach of public peace, by defaming one Mr. Lateef Lawal and his wife.

In committing the alleged defamation offence, she was alleged to have sent out voice note messages via social media handles, calling Mr. Lawal and his wife ‘ritualists’.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant’s alleged acts, contravened sections 287 and 168 (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

However, based on the defendant’s not guilty plea to the allegations, Magistrate Oyaniyi, after taken oral bail application from her lawyer, admitted her to bail in the sum of N500,000.00 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Further hearing of the matter has been adjourned to March 26, for mention.

Charges against the defendant reads: “That you Nifemi Friday “F” on the 23rd day of December 2024 about 100 hrs at Obas Mall Okun Ajah Eti-Osa, Lagos in the Lagos State Magisterial District did steal the sun of N5, 200,000 Five Million, two hundred thousand naira only and their by committed an offence punishable under section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015

“That you Nifemi Friday “F” on the same day time and place in the aforementioned magisterial District did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by deforming the character of one Mr, Lateef Lawal, and his wife by sending them a voice note on social media, that they are ritualist and their by committed an offence punishable under section 168 (d) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”