MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Police intelligence team from the State Criminal Investigation Department Yaba Lagos has arrested a 35-year old domestic staff, Maria Chika Okafor, for allegedly stealing her madam’s expensive jewelries worth $500,000 which the equivalent is N330m in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Dosun Adesanya Street, Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, where the victim, Charlotte Essiet, employed the suspect, Maria, as a domestic staff.
According to Police sources, the suspect and others said to be at large broke into the bedroom of the victim when she was not around, carted away the items and sold them at give away prices.
Some of the stolen items included: 10-year old Jewellers-Hublot gold wristwatch, Piaget, Black Rolex 2017, Anna Wiener, diamond earrings and chains including different types of CORAN worth the said amount.
The whole thing got exposed after the victim returned from a trip, went to the place where she kept the items vut she did not find them. She then invited the suspect, Maria, to know what happened to the items but she was unable to give satisfactory answers.
Hence, the matter was reported to the Police at Maroko Division. She was arrested and transferred to the SCID for further investigation over the missing items.
After thorough investigation, the Police found her culpable and asked her to disclose those she conspired with to steal the items but she declined.
The Police then charged her before the Yaba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.
She pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned.
She was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when she perfect her bail conditions