A 45-year old staff of Winich Farms Nigeria Limited, Magaji Ibrahim, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing the company’s N38.7m under false pretence
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between 20th and 24th June,2024 at Ikoyi area of Lagos, where the company is located.
According to the Police, the suspect had access to the money and did not pay it into the company’s account rather he converted it to his own use.
However, the company later discovered after it embarked on an internal audit and reported the matter to the Police at the State Command in Ikeja, Lagos. The suspect was arrested and detained for interrogation over the missing money.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Magaji Ibrahim ‘m’, sometime between 20th and 24th Day of June, 2024 at Ikoyi in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among others now at large, to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Magaji Ibrahim ‘m’, on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did obtain by false pretense the total sum of N38,776,000.00, property of Winich Farms Nigeria Limited by converting same to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:” That you, Magaji Ibrahim ‘m’, being a staff of Winich Farms Limited, on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the total sum of N38,776,000.00 (Thirty-eight million, in hundred and seventy-six thousand Naira), property of Winich Farms Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, 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. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.