Domestic staff in court for allegedly stealing jewellery worth $38,000 from judge

Employee

By Chinyere Omeire

Lagos, March 9, 2020 (NAN) Peace Anyawu, a former domestic employee to a high court judge, on Monday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft of jewellery worth $38,000 (N13.6 million).

Anywau, 22, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chinedu Njoku, told the court that the defendant and two others, Tina Egema and Taiwo Emmanuel, conspired to commit the alleged offences.

Njoku said the defendant committed the offences between July 2019 and Oct. 26, 2019, at D5, Millenium Estate, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

He said that the defendant stole jewellery worth 38,000 US Dollars (equivalent of N13.6 million), belonging to Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile.

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Egema and Emmanuel were earlier arraigned over the same offence on Oct. 31, 2019.

The charge was consolidated for Anyanwu to take her plea.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 287 (7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Botoku, ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The case was adjourned until March 23 for mention. (NAN)

OCC/DEB/WOJ

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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Wale Ojetimi

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