A 32-year-old ex-sales representative, Bashiru Olatunji, found himself in the dock at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday, facing a one-count charge of alleged theft.

The prosecution, led by DSP Kehinde Ajayi, accused Olatunji of stealing a total sum of N7,809,000 from his former employer, Deke Super Store, located at Ojodu Berger, Lagos State.

During the court proceedings before Magistrate E. Kubeinje, Olatunji pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Ajayi, informed the court that the defendant committed the offense between January and November at Kosoko Street, Ojodu Berger.

According to Ajayi, investigations revealed that the accused had been embezzling funds from the company over an extended period. However, he was eventually apprehended and detained by the police.

The alleged theft is said to contravene the provisions of section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In response to the situation, Magistrate Kubeinje granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties required to provide the same amount.

Kubeinje outlined the conditions for the sureties, stating, “The sureties must be gainfully employed with proof of tax payments and verification, and one of them must be a blood relative.”

The case has been adjourned until December 19 for trial.