Contract staff docked over alleged N8.4m cement proceeds fraud

Credit: NAN

A 31-year-old contract staffer, Chinedu Ukaegbu, was on Tuesday, arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court for alleged stealing of N8.4 million from his employer.

Ukaegbu, who resides at Osho Emeka Crescent, Alagbado, Lagos, is standing trial for stealing and causing the breach of peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between March and April 14 at Ojota area of Lagos.

Perezi said that the defendant stole N8,490,000 from the proceeds of bags of cement he sold on behalf of one Jide Israel, the complainant and sales distributor to Larfarge cement company.

“The complainant is a sales distributor at Larfarge Africa PLC, specialising in cement supply.

“One of the contract staff, Ukaegbu is the person attached to the company as a sales agent, who has been supplying cement to customers on behalf of the complainant, Mr Israel.

“The defendant used the medium of supplying cement to customers to divert the funds collected from them to his own use, failing to remit the sum of N8,499,000,” he said.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravene Sections 168(2) and 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mrs. S.K. Matepo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Mayepo said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show proof of tax payments and verification.

She adjourned the case to May 5 for mention.