7th January, 2022
By Paul Iyoghojie
The Police in Ikoyi, Lagos have arraigned a housemaid, Ibor Maranatha Ejah, 26, before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing her employer’s 2,700 dollars.
The money is equivalent to N1, 102,000. She allegedly stole the money from the complainant, Olutosin Osibodu.
Police alleged that problem started for the defendant when the complainant reported to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Ikoyi Division, CSP Tijani N’abba that he left his maid at home for work and that before he returned, his maid stole his 2,700 dollars and escaped.
Following the report, N’abba directed his crack team led by Inspector Itafor Ernest to fish out the maid anywhere she might be hiding.
After days of intelligence gathering, the police team tracked the maid to a hideout in Lagos and arrested her.
Ejah was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on a one count charge of stealing.
Police prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nse Ekpo informed the court that the defendant committed the offence between November and December, 2021 at Moseley Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Okpo told the court that the complainant left his maid at home on trust and went to work but that before he returned, the defendant betrayed the trust reposed in her by her employer and stole his 2,700 dollars and escaped before she was eventually arrested.
She said the offence committed was punishable under sections 287 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and her counsel, Anayo Agbo prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail in the most liberal term and Magistrate K.K. Awoyinka granted her N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Awoyinka adjourned the case till 19 January, 2022 for mention and ordered that the defendant be kept at the Kirikiri Correctional facility till she perfected the bail conditions.