The police in Lagos have charged a 45-year-old man, Denola Banjoko, with converting his brother’s death benefits to his personal use.
Banjoko, whose address was not provided, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on a count of stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 19, 2019, at Surulere Local Government Area Headquarters.
Okoliko said that the defendant collected N1.1 million from Surulere Local Government as the death benefit of his late brother, Shina Banjoko, and failed to deliver it to the deceased’s family.
Okoliko submitted that the defendant converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor noted that stealing contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the section provides for three years’ imprisonment for stealing.
Magistrate Jadesola Ajayi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case until December 15 for mention.