Cleaner arraigned for stealing N3.2m goods from employer

A 33-year-old cleaner, Charles Sunday, was arraigned on Tuesday before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a gold chain and other items valued at N3.250,000 from his employer.

Sunday, who resides at No. 15, Orchid Road, Eleganza, Lekki, is facing a charge of stealing.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged crime while employed as a cleaner for the complainant, Mr Temitope Aremu.

He said the incident took place between July and August 2024 at the Horizon Court Estate, Ikate, Lekki.

Osuji informed the court that the stolen items included a gold chain valued at N3m, along with a hand bangle, bracelets, a face cap, and a jean jacket, all totalling N250,000.

The prosecutor emphasised that “The total value of the stolen items is N3,250,000, and these belong to the complainant, Mr. Aremu.”

According to Osuji, the offence committed contravened Section 287 (7), of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Sunday, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, Mr Ali Abah, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on lenient terms.

“We humbly apply that the defendant be granted bail in the most liberal terms,” Abah urged the court.

The prosecutor did not oppose the bail application but noted that while some of the stolen items had been recovered, “The gold chain valued at N3m is still missing.”

In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs Oluwatosin Erinle, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1m, with two sureties in like sum.

She stipulated that the sureties must provide evidence of livelihood, with one being a blood relation of the defendant.

Additionally, Erinle ordered that the sureties must present six months’ bank statements, proof of income tax payment to the Lagos State Government, receipts for house rent, and their National Identity Numbers, with their addresses verified.

The case has been adjourned to August 29, 2024, for mention.