Housekeeper, cousin, in court for allegedly stealing employer’s laptops

A housekeeper and her cousin on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing her employer’s laptops, valued at N1.2 million.

The 16-year-old housekeeper (a minor) and his security guard cousin, Samson Ayuba, 27, residing at Badore, Ajah, Lagos, are being tried for conspiracy, stealing and causing breach of peace.

Both defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the offences were committed on May 26 at 27b Adetoun Crescent, new Oko Oba, Abule-Egba, Lagos.

Akeem alleged that the housekeeper stole Mr Segun Adebayo’s laptops, one Lenovo and one ProBook, valued at N1.2 million, in his absence.

He also alleged that she gave the laptops to her cousin, Ayuba, to assist her in selling them.

“The complainant, getting home and couldn’t find his laptops, got his housekeeper arrested, which led to the arrest of the second defendant,” Akeem said.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 168, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi, however, granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osunsanmi adjourned the case until Aug. 14 for mention.