A 34-year-old salesman, Bayo Matthew, who allegedly stole pure water worth N152, 900 from his employer was on Thursday brought before a Yaba Chief magistrates’ court in Lagos State.
Matthew, a resident of Bariga area of Lagos state, is facing a count charge bordering on stealing.
Police prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between Nov. 2018 and January 2019, at No. 87 and 89, Ilaje road, Bariga, Lagos state.
She alleged that the defendant, who was a salesman and driver for Ozone, a company that produces “pure water,” had been stealing bags of water from the company worth N152, 900 for over three months.
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According to her, the company’s accountant, Mr Toyin Dahunsi, discovered the theft while trying to balance the end of year (2018) sales.
“My Lord, upon investigation, it was discovered that the defendant had been taking out some bags of water from his truck for months.
“He never remitted the money equivalent for the number of pure water bags that were put in his truck for sale.
“He had been selling some of the bags of water and converting the money to his own personal use,” Olaluwoye said.
The offence contravened Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 (7) stipulates a seven-year jail term for the offence of stealing from one’s employer.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Oghere said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant; they should have their addresses verified by the court and provide evidence of three years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until May 8 for mention. (NAN)
