The Lagos State Police Command says it has detained a 29-year-old housemaid, who is also an ex-convict, Margaret, to investigate allegations of theft of her boss’ $12,300 (about N20 million).
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed her detention to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Hundeyin said the suspect had previously served a jail sentence in 2023 for stealing her former boss’ wrist watch valued at about N22 million.
According to him, the police also recovered €1,500 (about N2.6 million) from her, which formed part of the charges of her conviction.
Hundeyin told NAN that the suspect was released from the correctional facility in January before she allegedly committed the crime under investigation.
The police spokesperson said: “She contacted her agent for a new job as a house-help soon after her release, and immediately secured the new job on March 4, 2024.
“But within some months after her employment, she allegedly stole 12,300 dollars.
“The suspect escaped to Ebonyi after allegedly stealing the money to start a new life by renting a luxurious apartment.
“After her arrest, she confessed that the security guard was aware of the theft.”
According to Hundeyin, she claimed giving the security guard 300 dollars, while she left with 12,000 dollars.
“The security guard has also been detained for investigation, while police operatives have recovered $3,500 from Margaret.
“She will be charged to court after the investigation is completed,” he said.
Speaking to NAN, the suspect blamed hardship for her action, saying she was the first child among seven siblings and was responsible for their upkeep.
According to her, she sent a substantial part of the stolen money to her parents in Port Harcourt to cater for her siblings.
“I have worked with 10 different people between 2015 and 2024 in Port Harcourt, Delta, Bayelsa and Lagos State.
“I have been arrested before, for stealing my oga’s wristwatch and 1500 Euros. They recovered the stolen money and a wristwatch from me.
“I was charged to court and sentenced to one year in jail. I was released on January 20, 2024.
“After my release, since I had nowhere to stay, I called my agent, Mr Emmanuel, who helped me to get a new job, but he did not know what I did.
“While working at my new job, one day, I saw some dollars in my madam’s wardrobe. I informed Emmanuel, our security man, who advised me to take the money.
“I took the 12,300 dollars, but gave 300 dollars to Emmanuel,” she told NAN.
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The suspect further said that she gave N1.5 million to her father, N70,000 to one of her sisters, while she rented and furnished her apartment in Ebonyi with some of the stolen money.
Margaret, however, said that she lost about 6000 dollars while in transit, adding that she regretted her actions and pleaded for her boss’ forgiveness.
Admitting his involvement in the alleged crime, Emmanuel, the security guard, told NAN that he had planned to elope with Margaret in Port Harcourt.
The security guard, who also regretted his actions, pleaded for his boss’ forgiveness, saying he had worked with her for three years.
