3 employees arraigned over alleged N4.5million theft

Three employees of a frozen food store, on Wednesday, appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo over alleged N4.5 million theft.

The defendants; Ismail Raji, 34; Lateef Akinwande, 27; and Folarin Olamide, 28, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, misdemeanor, stealing and fraud.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Insp Opeyemi Lawal told the court that the defendants committed the offences between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3 at Olomore area in Abeokuta.

Lawal alleged that the defendants, who were employees of a frozen food company, Heri Global Company , conspired to steal the sum of N4.5million belonging their employer.

He said that the first defendant, Raji who is the storekeeper at the store would sell goods to customers at a cheaper price and in turn divert the proceeds to his personal account.

According to the prosecutor, the second and third defendants, Lateef and Folarin, aided and abetted Raji in committing the crime.

“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 offences, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 383, 390, 421, 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1 Laws of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, Miss O.T Odubanjo, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum.

Odubanjo said that the sureties must be registered bondsmen with the Ogun State judiciary and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Oba Correctional Center pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The magistrate subsequently adjourned the case until Oct. 5 for hearing.