MICHAEL AKINOLA
Police operatives at the Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos, have unmasked how a married woman, Blessing Effiong, who was employed as a domestic worker, conspired with her husband, Bassey and absconded with her employer’s $51,000 Dollars, equivalent of over N71m, just three days after she was employed by the owner of the said money.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Lekki area of Lagos, where the owner of the money resides.
The suspects, Blessing and Bassey, have been arrested and detained at the Zone 2 Command headquarters undergoing interrogation over their alleged conduct and they were said to have made some confessional statements over their involvement.
According to the Police, Blessing was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony and she started working as a domestic staff on 23rd December, 2023.
However, just within three days of commencing work, she absconded with $51,000 along with her husband, fleeing to Cross River State and disconnected every communication to reach her.
According to the Zonal Police Public Relations officer, SP Ayuba Umma, after thorough investigation, both suspects were apprehended on 31st January, 2024.
“The investigation uncovered that Blessing Effiong had approached Anthony under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and utilizing registered phone numbers not associated with her identity.”
“Additionally, she failed to complete her employment application form.”
“Initially denying the extent of the theft, Blessing eventually confessed to stealing $30,000 and admitted to giving $20,000 of the stolen money to her husband, Bassey Effiong.”
“In his confession, Bassey Effiong disclosed that he received the stolen funds, a portion of which he used to settle his late mother’s medical bills, purchased a tipper truck, two motorcycles, and complete a construction project in Cross River State.
Both suspects have been charged to Court following the completion of the investigation under the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi.
They may likely be sentenced to terms of imprisonment for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State if they are tried and found guilty before the Court.