Cook docked for withdrawing with employer’s ATM card

A 35-year-old cook, Emeka Akpama, was on Tuesday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly stealing the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card of his employer, who was away on Holy pilgrimage in Jedda.

Akpama is facing a two-count charge bordering on theft at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Insp. Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the accused had on Sept. 1 at about 10.00a.m., stolen his employer’s Standard Chartered Bank ATM card at his residence in Lekki area of Lagos.

“The cook stole the ATM card while his employer (names withheld) was away in Saudi Arabia for hajj.”

He said the accused had on Sept. 2 and Sept. 3 at about 5.00 p.m. and 12.00 p.m. respectively withdrew a total of N130, 000 from his master’s account.

“The master while on hajj was receiving debt alerts on his phone, so he asked his fiancee to lodge a complainant at the bank.

“The bank later sent the photograph of Akpama who was captured by the camera at the ATM,” Ekundayo said.

The offences contravened Sections 285 (1), (5) and (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Ade Adefulire, granted the accused a bail of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum, who must be a blood relation of the accused.

The case has been adjourned to Oct. 27 for mention.