Lagos Cook Elijah remanded in prison accused of  stealing employer’s N80m

By Paul Iyoghojie

A 40-year-old cook, Michael Elijah, has been arrested by the Financial Malpractices Investigation Unit (FMIU) of the Nigeria Police Force in Lekki, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N80 million from his employer, Omonigho Akinsanya.

Elijah is accused of fleeing the scene after the theft.

According to the police, the defendant used a spare key to enter Akinsanya’s apartment while she was out at a nearby supermarket.

Armed with a kitchen knife, he opened two briefcases containing the money, emptied the contents into two Ghana-must-go bags, and fled to his hometown in Akwa Ibom State.

Upon discovering the theft and realizing that Elijah had gone missing and his phone was off, Akinsanya reported the incident to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who referred the case to the FMIU team in Lekki.

The team quickly tracked Elijah to Akwa Ibom State, arrested him, and brought him back to Lagos.

Following an investigation led by Odunuga Akeem and his team, Elijah was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, with two counts of conspiracy and stealing.

Police counsel, Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendant committed the crime on December 19, 2024, at the complainant’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

He further stated that Elijah used a spare key to enter the apartment and stole the N80 million before fleeing to his village, where he was later apprehended.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Chief Magistrate M. Owunmi granted him bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned to February 2, 2025, for mention, and the defendant was remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility until he meets the bail conditions.