MICHAEL AKINOLA
A petrol station pump attendant in Lagos State, Saheed Oluwakemi, has been jailed for three years without an option of fine for using company’s N101m to engage in money doubling and it backfired.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, which found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
The convict, Oluwakemi, was employed as a petrol station attendant by Petroleum Managers Limited and Perilious Ventures in Lagos. He was said to have met one Mr. Lateef Mustapha, the second defendant, who allegedly promised to double any amount of money sent to him.
Thus, Oluwakemi allegedly sent Mustapha a total sum of N101 million in installments for the purpose of money-doubling.The transfers were fraudulently made from the petroleum company’s Point of Sale (POS) system, which Oluwakemi accessed by altering the login details.
The petroleum company later discovered discrepancies and missing funds, it contacted its bank for clarification. The bank revealed that the missing funds had been transferred through the company’s POS transactions.
Further investigations showed that Oluwakemi transferred N600,000 to his personal account, while over N100 million was transferred to Mr. Mustapha, who allegedly converted the funds.
Oluwakemi initially pleaded not guilty to the charge but later changed and pleaded guilty.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, convicted and sentenced him on a one-count charge of stealing, which contravened and is punishable under Section 287 (1)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.
The EFCC lead prosecution counsel, D.S, Okongwu said, “in view of his guilty plea, the convict should make a restitution of N600, 000 and return same amount to the complainant. The court should sentence them according to the law,” he added.
Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the punishment for the offence is 10 years imprisonment but since he willfully pleaded guilty to the charge, it would be reduced.
The judge convicted and sentenced the first defendant, Oluwakemi to three years imprisonment.
The sentence shall commence from the day the convict was arrested and remanded in custody. And he shall pay restitution of N600, 000 to the complainant.
Subsequently, the judge adjourned the case to March 3 and 5, 2026 for the commencement of Mustapha’s Defence as the second defendant.