Electricity company staff charged with forgery, N1.4m theft

A 29-year-old employee of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Gbemisola Olaleye, who allegedly stole his employer’s N1.4 million and also forged some documents, was on Tuesday released on a N500,000 bail.

The woman, whose address was not provided, was released on bail after she entered a `not-guilty’ plea to the two-count charge of stealing and forgery.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also asked the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail condition.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, the accused committed the offences between September 2016 and March 2017 at an IKEDC office in Ikeja.

“The accused stole the N1.4 million which was paid to her by electricity consumers.”

Ayorinde told the court that the accused also forged payment receipts of the company which she issued to members of the public.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

It was reported that the Section 363 prescribes 14 years jail term for forgery, while 285 prescribes a three-year for stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. Awope, adjourned the case until May 15 for mention.