Man Faces Two-Count Charge Over Alleged N20m Diversion in Ikeja
Kehinde Adeleye
A 28-year-old man, Pedro Damilola Dare, has been arraigned before an Ogba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State over the alleged fraudulent diversion and stealing of N20 million belonging to an Ikeja-based company, Process Piping and Installation Limited.
Dare was brought before Magistrate Mrs O. Kusanu on a two-count charge bordering on fraudulent diversion and stealing, offences punishable under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The prosecution, led by SP Philip Adegbemuji, told the court that the alleged offences occurred between June and August 2026 at the company’s office at No. 30, Alhaji Jimoh Street, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja.
According to the prosecution, the case was reported by Engr. Oluremi Iroko, who represented Process Piping and Installation Limited, following allegations that Dare diverted N20 million belonging to the company for personal use.
The matter was subsequently investigated by the Commissioner of Police Special Squad 1, Ikeja, led by Inspector Noah Okloho, under the supervision of SP Banti Adamu, Officer-in-Charge of the Command Tactical Squad, Ikeja.
The charge sheet, marked NIT/187129/2026, listed the Commissioner of Police as the complainant against Dare.
In the first count, the defendant was accused of fraudulently obtaining and diverting N20 million belonging to Process Piping and Installation Limited, contrary to Section 315(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second count accused him of stealing the same amount, an offence punishable under Sections 280 and 287 of the state’s criminal law.
The prosecutor explained that Dare had been entrusted with responsibilities at the company’s Ikeja office but allegedly used the opportunity to divert the funds between June and August.
He added that efforts by the company to recover the money were unsuccessful, prompting the complainant to report the matter to the police.
Following the investigation, Dare was arrested and charged to court through the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba.
When the charges were read to him at about 12:39 p.m., the defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Magistrate Kusanu subsequently granted him bail with two responsible sureties, who must provide evidence of their means of livelihood and payment of taxes to the Lagos State Government.
The court further directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed, have verifiable residential addresses within Lagos State and present valid means of identification to the court registrar.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the magistrate ordered that Dare be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos.
The matter was adjourned for mention and trial.
The court also maintained that the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
