Trader steals company’s N860,000 goods

court-of-law

A 39-year-old trader, Onyedika Okezie, who allegedly obtained diapers and sanitary pads worth N860, 000 from a company — Power Hero Nigeria Ltd — under false pretences, is facing trial at a Lagos court.

The accused, whose lives in Keffi in Nasarawa State, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining goods under false pretences and stealing at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the representative of the company in Lagos had reported the incident at Anthony Police Station.

“The complainant reported that sometime in March one of their marketers collected 250 cartons of diapers worth N745, 000 and 50 sanitary pads worth N5, 000, all valued at N860, 000 from the company’s store.

“The goods were supplied to the accused in Keffi, Nassarawa State, on trust to sell and remit the money to the company’s account.

“After the sales, the accused refused to remit the money after repeated demands.

“The complainant stated that when the company’s marketer called the accused to pay the money he started threatening him,” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty and his lawyer, Mrs S. Fagbamila, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

The prosecutor, however, objected to the bail application, saying, “the accused is based in Nasarawa State and that it took the police five days to arrest him.’’

The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, granted the accused a N50, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum, who should deposit N30, 000 each in the Chief Registrar’s account.

In addition, she said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and also show an evidence of tax payment to the government.

The case was adjourned to Nov. 28 for mention.