Three employees of a frozen food company, Heri Global Company, on Wednesday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo over alleged theft of N4.5 million belonging to their employer.
The defendants, Ismail Raji, 34; Lateef Akinwande, 27; and Folarin Olamide, 28, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, misdemeanour, stealing and fraud. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp. Opeyemi Lawal, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3 in the Olomore area of Abeokuta.
Lawal alleged that Raji, who worked as the storekeeper, sold goods to customers at prices lower than the approved rates and diverted the proceeds to his personal account.
He said Akinwande and Olamide allegedly aided and abetted Raji in the scheme.
“Upon investigation being conducted by the manager of the store, it was discovered that Raji had been selling goods to customers at a lower price rate than the price, leaving the company at a loss.
“This fraudulent act by the defendants was what prompted the company to report the incident to the police,” Lawal said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 383, 390, 421, 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun 2006.
The Magistrate, Miss O.T. Odubanjo, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must be registered bondsmen with the Ogun State Judiciary and directed that the defendants be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
Odubanjo adjourned the case until Oct. 5 for hearing.
