12th March, 2012
A Togolese cook, Alex Flole Timo, has absconded with his employer’s $425,000, equivalent of N68 million.
The incident occurred at Femi Okunu Estate, in Lekki, Eti-Osa, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.
When all efforts to locate the fleeing suspect proved abortive, his guarantors identified as Iredia Reuben, a security guard and Favour Ezekiel, were arrested by the police.
They were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a 2-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The police at Maroko Division, Lekki, Lagos, alleged in their charge sheet that the accused were arrested following complaints by Felicia Omueti that her cook, Alex Flole Timo, stole her husband’s USD425,000 entrusted in her care and escaped.
All efforts by her and the two guarantors to locate his whereabouts proved futile.
She further stated that on the fateful day, 29 February, 2012, she left Alex at home and before her return, he was no where to be found.
She later discovered that the money belonging to her husband in her care had been stolen and that she suspected the guarantors to have connived with him to steal the money.
The police arrested the guarantors and took them to the station. During interrogation the duo allegedly admitted introducing the cook to the woman, but claimed that they didn’t know the whereabouts of the suspect and the missing money.
After investigation, the guarantors were charged to court for conspiracy and stealing; an offence the prosecutor Sergeant Babatunde Julius, claimed contravenes Section 409 and 285 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
One of the counts read: “That you Iredia Reuben, 32 and Favour, 28 and two others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of USD425,000.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to them in the open court, and the presiding magistrate, Mr. W. B. Balogun admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum who must show proof of tax payment to the Lagos State government.
He adjourned the matter till 9 April 2012 for mention.
When the accused could not perfect their bail conditions in good time, they were moved to Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons.
—Paul Iyoghojie