Salesman sentenced to three years imprisonment over N2.3m theft

A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, has found a salesman, Azeez Williams guilty of stealing and sentenced him to three years imprisonment without option of fine.

Wliiams was charged before Chief Magistrate K.O Ogundare by the men of Criminal and Investigation Department of Lagos State Police Command. The convict was arraigned before the court sometimes in July 2013, on charges bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The offences according to the prosecutor, Inspector Cousin Adams, are punishable under Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos state, 2011. During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Adams, had told the court that the convict conspired with others now at large to steal different head ties valued N2, 381, 000, from the store of one Mrs. Adenike Balogun, situated at 33, Kosoko street, Lagos-Island, where he was working.

He called two witnesses. They are the convict’s boss, Mrs. Balogun and Corporal Adeyemo Olubunmi the Investigation Police officer, (IPO) from CIID, who investigated the crime.

The prosecutor had also tendered six exhibits, which includes the convict’s statement to the police, his undertaking to pay back the stolen money dated August 16, 2013, made to the police, another undertaking made to his boss dated September 2, 2013; complainant’s petition to the police dated August 21, 2013 and the convict’s land receipt.

The convict had told court in his testimony that he did not steal the sum of N2,340, 000, but admitted taken N1000, and N2000, from the proceeds of sale without the knowledge of his boss. However, Magistrate Ogundare while delivering judgment discharged the convict of the conspiracy allegation, noted that the prosecution failed to prove the guilty of the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

He pronounced him guilty of the stealing and consequently sentenced him to three years imprisonment without option of fine. The magistrate also ordered that the convict’s landed property shall be confiscated and disposed of forthwith to restitute for the crime against the complainant.