MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 37-year old staff of Ocean Basket Limited, Emmanuel Odugbo Enoma, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly stealing company’s N12.7m.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Enoma, has been arrested and charged before the Court for conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.
The incident happened between October 2018 and August,2024 at the company’s office located at Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos, where Enoma was employed as staff.
According to the Police, the suspect tempered with the said money for those years without the knowledge of the management until an internal audit was conducted, which revealed the missing money.
The matter was reported to the Police at Alausa Division and the suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over the missing money.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read :
“That you, Emmanuel Odugbo Enoma ‘M’ and others at large between October, 2018 and August 2024 af Ocean Basket Limited, Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos state in the Ikeja Magisterial District,, did conspire amongst yourselves 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 Emmanuel Odugbo Enoma ‘M’ and others at large on same Date and Place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of Twelve Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Two Hundred and One Naira (N12,950,201:00k) only, being the proceed of sales at Ocean Basket Limited, belonging to your employer one Kayode Olu Martins, the Chairman Ocean Basket Limited, Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos state and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of The Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actuall:y 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.