In Lagos, Prince Okemgbo, a teenage apprentice, was brought before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N958,000 belonging to his master.
Fifteen-year-old Okemgbo, a resident of Igando, Lagos, faced theft charges presented by the police.
DSP Kehinde Ajayi, the Prosecution Counsel, informed the court that the accused committed the theft on November 21 at Cele Close, Odo Osan, Egan Igando, Lagos. He was apprenticed under Mr. Hycent Uche, the complainant, and reportedly absconded from the premises with the sum of money.
“He broke the safe in the shop and made away with the sum of N958,000 being sales made for the week that his master was supposed to take to the bank the next day.
“He ran away to the village without allowing anyone to know of his movement,” Ajayi said.
She maintained that the offense violated Section 287 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the accusation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 287 (7) of the Criminal Code provides seven years imprisonment for servants stealing from their masters.
Magistrate Mrs. E. Kubeinje granted the defendant N100,000 bail with two responsible sureties in the same amount.
One of the sureties, according to Kubeinje, must be a blood relative. She adjourned the case until December 19 for further consideration.
