A salesgirl, Christabel Udeze, and her lover, Dominic Eriobu, on Tuesday, appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing N6.4 million belonging to the employer of Udeze.
Udeze, 23, and Eriobu, 28, whose addresses were not provided, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendants conspired to commit the offences on Sept. 17 at 2.30 p.m. at No. 8 Oyebola St., Ojota, Lagos.
Perezi alleged that the defendants stole N6.4 million belonging to the complainant, Mrs. Susan Onyeakusi.
He alleged that Udeze who resides with Eriobu, altered figures in the company’s financial books and diverted sales proceeds into her Opay account.
The prosecutor told the court that Christabel also transferred part of the stolen money into Eriobu’s account.
He said that the complainant reported the case to the police and the defendants were consequently arrested.
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 287(7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 287(7) provides for a penalty of seven years imprisonment for stealing from one’s employer.
Meanwhile, section 411 provides for a penalty of two years imprisonment if found guilty of criminal conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mrs S.K Matepo, granted the defendants bail in the sum of two million naira each, with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Nov.12, for mention.
-NAN
