Beninoise domestic staff bolts with employer’s N2.8m rice, vegetable oil

A 53-year-old domestic staff, Gbessmehlan John, who allegedly stole his employer’s bags of rice and vegetable oil valued at N2.8 million, was on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja, Lagos State Chief Magistrates’ Court.

John, a Beninoise and resident of Ikeja, is standing trial on a charge of stealing.

The accused, according to the prosecutor, Simeon Imhonwa, committed the offence on April 6, in Ikeja.

Imhonwa alleged that the accused stole 21 bags of rice and seven gallons of 25-litre vegetable oil valued at N2.8 million belonging to the complainant, Abisola Oshinoiki.

The prosecutor said the accused had been stealing the items to different buyers until he was recently caught and handed

over to the police.

Imhonwa said: “Whenever the complainant travels on business trip, John will go to the store, remove the goods and sell them off.”

The offence contravened Sections 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the section stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, B.O. Osunsanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osunsanmi said the sureties should be gainfully employed and also show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until August 17 for mention.