4th October, 2017
Paul Iyoghojie
A househelp, Folake Ogunrombi, 36 who allegedly stole her employer’s jewelries valued at N6 million at their Ikoyi, Lagos residence and escaped has been arrested at a hideout in Igando area of Lagos State after about six months of police manhunt.
The arrest of the suspect, according to a police source was made possible by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Ikoyi Division, Lagos, Tijani Mustapha following a complaints by the suspect’s employer, Mrs Titilayo Rotimi.
The incident, the police said occurred on 24 April, 2017 at 1, Oroke Drive, Ikoyi,Lagos where the suspect resides with her employer.
The police alleged that the complainant reported that the househelp she employed in 2013 through an agent to take care of her 96 years old mother had burgled her box of jewelries and stole 30 carat chord neck chains and earrings valued at N6m and escaped and that all her efforts to trace her had proved futile.
A police source said that following the report, Mustapha swung into action with his men and after about five months of Intelligence gathering, the police team arrested the suspect at a hideout at Igando area of Lagos following a tip off.
During investigation, according to the police, the suspect could not give satisfactory accounts of the stolen items.
The suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a one count charge of stealing.
Police Counsel, Abbass Abayomi told the court in charge No C/63/2017 that the accused stole the jewelries due to greed and sold them at give away price and went into hiding thinking that her employer had forgotten before nemesis caught up with her.
Mameh said that the offence the accused committed is punishable under section 287 of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and the Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O Komolafe granted her bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Komolafe adjourned the case till 14 November, 2017 for mention and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Prison, Apapa, Lagos pending when she is able to fulfill the bail conditions.