Pastry seller, sister-in-law bag 2 years each for N3.2m theft

A mother of one and pastries seller,

Efunkeye, was found guilty of stealing the sum of N3.2 million from her former work place --Paymaster Bureau de Change at Ojuelegba in Lagos with the collision of Funmilola Okewole, her sister-in-law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo were arraigned on July, 20 2011 on a ten-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing and were admitted to bail after a plea of ``not guilty".

NAN also reports that Efunkeye, a former Clerical Assistant with the Bureau de Change had at various times transferred various sums of money to some accounts owned by her friends including Okewole.

"The court finds and holds by the evidence before it that the charge of conspiracy and stealing have been proved beyond reasonable doubt, the court holds that the two accused did conspire to steal the said sum and are guilty.

``The prosecution has been able to prove the case of conspiracy and stealing against these two.

"They each stand convicted on all the count charges against them with all the compelling evidence which was never countered by the defence.

"The accused persons, however, do not appear remorseful and have tried hard to dodge the consequences of their actions and have also wasted the time and resources of the government.

``I hereby sentence the two of you to one year imprisonment on the count of conspiracy and another one year on all the charges of stealing against you without an option of fine,’’ Chief Magistrate A. A. Demi-Ajayi said.

``The evidence of the police against these two has proven beyond reasonable doubt that they committed the offences levelled against them,’’ the chief magistrate said.

Earlier, at the arraignment of the duo, the prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione told the court that Efunkeye stole N3.2 million from the Bureau de Change between May and June 2011.

Uwadione said the complainant told the court that the accused, stole the said sum which was at various times withdrawn at the former Fin Bank Plc, Ojuelegba by Okewole, her in-law.

At their arraignment, Efunkeye was 29-year-old while Okewole was 21.

The offences contravened Sections 390(6), 509 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003.