Lagos Sales Lady, 49, Faces Theft Charge Over Alleged N5.1m Conversion At Oke-Odo

The prosecution alleged that the incident occurred on or about the sixth day of May, 2026. The location listed in the charge sheet is Shop 30, Arogunbade Shopping Complex, Oke-Odo, Lagos State.

According to the charge, Ms. Ajibade was employed as a sales lady and was entrusted with goods and stocks for sale at the shop. The complainant in the matter was identified as Ms. Olatinwo Iyabo.

The Police claimed that the defendant dishonestly converted to her own use proceeds from sales. The amount stated in the document is Five Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand Naira only.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) and (b) and is punishable under Section 287 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015. The sections relate to criminal conversion and theft by a servant.

The case is being handled by the Oke-Odo Police Division. The Divisional Police Officer listed on the document is CSP Akande R. Ajoke.

The Investigating Police Officer named on the charge sheet is Inspector Adebayo Adeola. The station is also listed as Oke-Odo Division, Lagos State.

Court records showed sections for the magistrate to record proceedings after arraignment. These include the defendant’s plea, finding, sentence, court orders, bail terms, and exhibits tendered during trial.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the court to give a date for hearing since she pleaded not guilty, to enable the Police to prove the allegations.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted her bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment, while addresses are to be verified by the court.

The matter was adjourned for mention, while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.

Under Nigerian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Ms. Ajibade is entitled to defend herself and to legal representation. Legal practitioners say Section 280 of the Lagos Criminal Law deals with conversion by persons entrusted with property. The prosecution will be required to prove intent and dishonest conversion to secure a conviction. The court is expected to hear evidence from both sides and make a determination based on the law. Until the case is concluded, the allegations remain unproven claims contained in the charge document.