Sales manager allegedly steals employer’s N30m, lands in prison

By Paul Iyoghojie

The Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos of the Nigeria Police have arrested a 44-year-old sales manager and distributor, Saheed Kazeem for allegedly stealing N30m proceeds belonging to his employer, Magreth Udo.

Police alleged that Kazeem allegedly perpetrated the theft by selling his employer’s goods between 6 January 2022 and 30 November 2023 valued at N30m and allegedly converted the proceeds to his use instead of remitting the money into his employer’s account.

Police further alleged that the complainant uncovered the theft when she audited her stocks and petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Durosimi Olatoye in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos who directed his men to fish out the suspect.

The Police team arrested the defendant through intelligence gathering at a hideout in Lagos.

After investigation by ASP Amoo Olatonmide and team, the defendant was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island on three counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Police prosecuting Counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa informed the court that Kazeem committed the offence between January 2022 and 30 November 2023 at Ijora Olopa Market, Lagos.

Igbinosa told the Court that the complainant entrusted goods valued at N30m in his care to sell and remit the proceeds into her account, but that the defendant sold the goods and allegedly converted the proceeds to his use leading to his arrest.

He said the offences, the defendant committed were punishable under sections 411, 287 and 168 (1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate, Mrs Gbajumo Ayoku granted him N1m bail with two sureties in like sum.

Ayoku adjourned the case till 10 June 2024 for mention and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi correctional facility till he perfected the bail conditions.