Accountant duck over alleged theft of employer’s N462, 000

A staff of Justrite Super Store, Adepoju Michael, on Wednesday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for alleged theft of N462, 000 from his employer.

Adepoju, an accountant, who resides No. 67, Peace Estate, Ikola, Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences with one of his colleague now at large between 2014 and 2016 at Dopemu branch in Lagos State.

He said that the accused and one Ezekiel both accountants in the store conspired and stole the money.

“In January 2016 after the accused were transferred to another branch of the store, the account books were audited and it was discovered that the books had been doctored.

“There was a shortage of N462, 000 which the accused could not account for,’’ he said.

Ayorinde said the offenses contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which attracts three years jail term on conviction.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Awope, granted bail the accused bail in the sum of N250, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Awope adjourned the case till May 6 for mention.