Lagos- An insurance marketer, Kome Odhu, was on Wednesday charged at an Ikeja Magistrate Court for stealing N670,000 belonging to his company, Mutual Benefit Life Assurance Plc. Lagos.
The accused, who reside at No. 16, Canal Road, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Akeem Raji, told the court that the accused committed the offences between March 10, 2010 and March 1, 2015 at Ilupeju, Lagos.
“The accused fraudulently obtained N670, 000 from the company’s clients under the pretext of paying their premium into company’s account.
“But he converted the money into his own account without the consent of the company.
“He collected N270, 000 from one Mrs Jane Umeh and N200, 000 each from Mrs Mobolaji Ogunleye and Chinasa Iloka,’’ Raji said.
The prosecutor said that the fraud was discovered when the customers’ date and policy became due and they were paid less than they expected.
“The clients took their complainant to the company’s office where it was discovered that some of the money collected by Odhu were not paid into the company’s account,’’ the prosecutor said.
Raji said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 provides 15 year imprisonment if convicted of fraud, while section 285 prescribes three-year jail term as penalty for stealing.
The accused pleaded not guilty of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
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The Magistrate, Mr T.O Shomade, adjourned the case till Feb. 18 for mention. (NAN)
