A 19-year-old point-of-sale (POS) operator, Emenike Baberechi Martha, has been arrested and charged for allegedly defrauding her employer of ₦20 million in Lagos.
Martha, who worked for a daily contribution manager, Onyebuchi Alajekwu, reportedly conspired with two others — Tochukwu Arum (30) and Ifeanyi Asomugua (28) — to divert the funds meant for customers’ deposits.
According to investigators, the teenage suspect was entrusted with collecting and remitting daily contributions through a POS machine but allegedly transferred the money to her accomplices’ accounts for personal gain.
The scheme unraveled after her employer discovered the missing funds and reported the matter to Assistant Commissioner of Police Ebruajaa Nwanchukwu, Area ‘E’ Command, Festac. Following an intensive manhunt, police operatives traced and arrested the suspects at a hideout in Lagos.
They were subsequently arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at Tinubu, Lagos Island, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud, and threat to life.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Gbenga Salami told the court that the accused also allegedly threatened to kill their employer if he exposed their actions. The offences contravene Sections 411, 309(1), 56(1)(A), and 165D of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate O.O. Olatunji granted them bail in the sum of ₦5 million each with two sureties in like sum and ordered their remand at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres pending the fulfilment of bail conditions.