23rd July, 2023
By Paul Iyoghojie
The police at the Maroko Division of the Lagos State Police Command, Lagos, South West, Nigeria have arrested a 24-year-old beautician, Melody Audu and charged her before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing earrings valued at N170,000 belonging to her employer, Precious Ibeh, the director of 21 Beauty Place, located at Lekki, Lagos.
Police alleged that trouble started for the defendant when the complainant reported to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Maroko Division, Lekki that she suspected her worker, Audu to be the one that stole her earrings valued at N170,000.
Police further alleged that following the report, the DPO drafted his team led by Inspector Veronica Poster to fish out the fleeing suspect anywhere she might be hiding.
The police team tracked Audu to a hideout in Lekki and arrested her while putting on the alleged stolen earrings.
Audu was charged before the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on a one-count charge of stealing.
Police counsel, Reuben Solomon informed the court in the charge marked P/25/2023 that the defendant committed the offence on 15 June 2023 at Dr Ladi Alakija Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Solomon told the court that the defendant stole her employer’s earrings valued at N170,000 and escaped.
According to him, the suspect was tracked and arrested with the earrings while putting them on her ears.
He said the offence committed was punishable under section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate O. S. Abioye adjourned the case till 25 July 2023 for continuation of trial.
Abioye ordered that the defendant be detained at the Kirikiri correctional facility, Apapa, Lagos till the adjourned date.