In what’s coming as a really surprising development, a 19-year-old POS operator, Emenike Baberechi Martha, has been hurled behind bars after allegedly masterminding a staggering N20 million fraud against her unsuspecting employer.
Martha, employed as a point-of-sale agent by a daily contribution manager, Onyebuchi Alajekwu, is accused of executing a daring financial scheme with the help of two alleged accomplices — Tochukwu Arum, 30, and Ifeanyi Asomugua, 28.
The trio was dramatically tracked down and arrested by a crack police team after reportedly vanishing with the funds.
According to the prosecution, Martha was entrusted with collecting and depositing daily customer contributions using a POS machine.
But instead of fulfilling her duties, she allegedly rerouted the whopping N20 million through the accounts of her co-accused, siphoning the cash for personal use.
But the game was up when her employer, alarmed by the missing millions, swiftly reported the matter to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ebruajaa Nwanchukwu, at Area ‘E’ Command, Festac.
According to PM News, ACP Nwanchukwu quickly launched a manhunt that ended with the suspects’ arrest at a hideout in Lagos.
The suspects have been dragged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, stealing, and threat to life.
Prosecuting police officer, Inspector Gbenga Salami, stunned the court with revelations that the accused also allegedly threatened to kill the complainant if he dared report the theft.
The alleged offences are said to violate Sections 411, 309(1), 56(1)(A), and 165D of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Despite the gravity of the charges, the three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Magistrate, Chief Magistrate O.O. Olatunji, granted them bail at N5 million each with two sureties in like sum but ordered their immediate remand at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
The court has adjourned the case for further hearing.
