Police Arraign Three Employees for N49.4m Theft

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned three employees of a business outlet, Chistall Project Limited, over the theft of cartons of tiles, sets of water closets, squatting pans, panel doors, stoves, ropes and steel doors valued at N49.4m.

Those arraigned include the firm’s secretary, Amaka Umeh, as well as James Edeh and Abuchi Dike.

They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate F. M Kayode of the Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court on two counts of conspiracy and theft.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Olatunde Kehinde, said the offences are punishable under Sections 411 and 287(7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2025.

The charges read in part, “That you, Amaka Umeh, Abuchi Dike, James Edeh, between 2021 and January 28, 2023, at Awaye Warehouse STI Market Odunade, Orile Iganmu, Surulere, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit; stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, Idris Bello, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail in minimal terms.

The magistrate admitted them to bail in the sum of N1m each with two responsible sureties in like sum.

However, he ordered that they be remanded in custody until the bail conditions were met.

The case was adjourned till March 4, 2023.