Shop Manager, 2 Others Docked For Theft

Taiwo Okanlawon

A 28-year-old shop manager at Balogun Market on Lagos Island, Uche Okafor, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for stealing goods worth N20 million belonging to his employer.

He was arraigned alongside his brother Emeka Amuluahe, and his girlfriend Beatrice Amadi before Magistrate Makanju Oshodi.

The accused persons are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The accused persons were said to have committed the offence on 15 February, 2013 at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Okafor was alleged to have conspired with Amadi and Amuluahe, to steal the goods belonging to Wordstar Investment and Co. Nigeria Limited owned by Benson Ezegulue.

The police alleged that Okafor, who was in charge of one of Wordstar Investment Shops failed to remit money into the account of the company for several months.

Upon investigation, the police alleged that Okafor had sold off most of the items in the shop and used part of the proceeds to build a house for himself.

The police said their alleged offences contravened sections 409 and 285(5)(9)(6) of Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria. 2011.

Testifying in the case Ezegulue, who resides at Plot 397 Road Festac Town told the court that Uche has been working with him since 2006 and he is one of the managers of the shop at Balogun Market before he discovered early this year that money is not forthcoming from Uches’ shop.

“Uche has been working with me since 2006 and he is also a manager in one of my shops. Early this year I discovered that he didn’t send money to company’s account and I tried to call him to ask him what happened but he did not pick my calls.  I then sent my brother to go and inspect the shop, only for him to find out that goods worth N20 million have been unaccounted for,” he explained.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Magistrate Oshodi later adjourned the case till 19 March, 2014.