Sales boy, female accomplice accused of N115m fraud arraigned in Lagos

By Paul Iyoghojie

A 26-year-old sales boy, Ebuka Eze, and his alleged accomplice, Nduka Mabel Nwagu, have been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over the alleged diversion of N115 million belonging to his employer.

The defendants were arraigned by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), formerly known as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, of the Nigeria Police Force after investigations into the alleged fraud.

According to the police, Eze, who worked as a sales boy at Apostle KC Enterprises in Mandilas Market, Lagos Island, allegedly sold clothes worth N115 million between 2022 and 2026 but failed to remit the proceeds to his employer, instead converting the money to his personal use.

Police further alleged that Nwagu knowingly received N12 million, believed to be part of the alleged stolen funds, through her Kuda, Opay and Fidelity Bank accounts.

The complainant, Mr. Kingsley Ogbozor Chukwuma, General Manager of Apostle KC Enterprises, reportedly became suspicious after noticing a steady decline in sales despite continued investment in the business. An audit allegedly uncovered the missing proceeds, prompting him to petition the Inspector-General of Police for an investigation.

The petition was subsequently transferred to the VCRU in Lagos, where detectives launched an investigation.

Police said the probe allegedly revealed that Eze diverted the sales proceeds and channelled part of the funds through the accounts of his alleged accomplice.

Following the investigation led by ASP Patrick Okeke and his team, the suspects were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on stealing and receiving proceeds of crime.

Prosecuting counsel, Olugbenga Salami, told the court that the offences were committed between 2022 and 2026 at Apostle KC Enterprises, Mandilas Market, Lagos Island. He alleged that Eze fraudulently converted his employer’s sales proceeds and transferred N12 million to Nwagu through multiple bank accounts.

The prosecutor said the alleged offences contravene Sections 411, 289 and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defence counsel, Augustine Okeh, urged the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms, arguing that they remain innocent until proven guilty by the court.

The presiding magistrate granted each defendant N5 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

The court adjourned the case until August 28, 2026, for mention and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres until they meet their bail conditions.