Sales Manager absconds with employer’s N35m, lands in prison

By Felix Kuyinu

A Sales Manager has been arrested and dragged to court over an act of stealing of N35m belonging to his employer.

The Nigeria Police at the Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos claimed that the accused, Ifeanyi Ogbugo, commited the act being a worker with Magnum Merchandise Limited located at Aspanda Market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos.

Ogbugo, 46, was said to have defrauded his employer, Magnum Ibe, after selling goods in his employer’s shop and absconded with it. He was also accused to have converted the proceeds to his use instead of remitting the money into his employer’s account.

After an investigation by an Inspector, Jaspa Oparaji and his team, Ogbugo was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge bordering on Conspiracy and Stealing.

While noting that the defendant commited the act on August 23, 2023, in charge marked B/4/2024, Police prosecuting counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa told the court that the offences committed were punishable under Sections 411 and 280 (1) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding over the case, Magistate Bayo Sonuga granted him N2m bail with two sureties in like sum.

Sonuga adjourned the case till 28 February 2024 for mention and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility till he perfected the bail conditions.