A 24-year-old school cashier, Yaqub Lutfullmanna Oluwasemilore, was on Friday arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos Magisterial District, over allegations of stealing cash and school property valued at N11,800,000 at Vinestar College, Bariga, Lagos.
The defendant, who was until his arrest under employment at the school, is facing a two-count charge bordering on stealing and forgery, contrary to Sections 287(7) and 363 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on the 29th day of June, 2026 at Vinestar College, Bariga, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
In Count I, the Commissioner of Police alleged that Oluwasemilore, while under employment, did steal one Canon HD Camera valued at N200,000, four HP Laptops valued at N1,600,000, and a cash sum of N10,000,000, all properties of Mrs. Deborah Iyabo Ike. The total value of the items was put at N11,800,000.
In Count II, the defendant was accused of forging a sales payment receipt in connection with the incident. The offences are punishable under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The case was prosecuted by SP Phillip Ademigbuji of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The matter was presided over by Mrs. O. Kusanu, a Magistrate at the Ogba Court.
After listening to submissions from both the prosecution and defence, the court granted bail to the defendant with two sureties. The sureties are to show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment as part of the bail conditions.
However, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
The case file was transferred from D11 Section, State CID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos. The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge was Inspector Nwafor Chidiebere. ASP Alaba Ajuku was also listed as part of the Police team.
Legal experts note that stealing under employment and forgery are serious offences under Lagos State law, and conviction could attract significant penalties if proven beyond reasonable doubt. Section 287(7) specifically deals with stealing by persons in a position of trust, while Section 363 covers forgery.
The development has drawn attention at Vinestar College, Bariga, as parents, staff and stakeholders await the outcome of the case. School authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
The Magistrate adjourned the case for mention to allow for further proceedings. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.