MICHAEL AKINOLA
Police intelligence operatives from Isheri Oshun Division have arrested a 42-year old man, Ben Chibuzor, for allegedly arranging two apprentice boys and using them to loot a businessman, Geoffrey Esogbu, to the tune of N5m in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Fisayo Ojaoba Street, Ijegun area of Lagos, where the complainant, Esogbu opened a store.
Already, the suspect, Chibuzor, has been arrested and charged for conspiracy and stealing.
The Police alleged that the suspect contacted the complainant and offered to bring two apprentice boys, Emeka Okoye and Chukwuebuka Kelechi, from his village in the Eastern part of Nigeria to support him in his business in 2021.
The complainant accepted and he brought them to manage his shop without any suspicion. But with time, it was discovered that the shop was going down and the owner decided to carry out internal audit to know what was wrong.
During interrogation, it was discovered that the two apprentices were selling and giving the money realized from the shop to the suspect.
The matter was reported to the Police. He was then arrested and detained at the station for interrogation. While there, he admitted and offered to refund the money.
However, instead of refunding the money as agreed, he quickly took the two apprentices and sent them back to their village to cover up the alleged crime.
The Police consequently charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. K.A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.