Rose Patrick, the 25-year-old housekeeper, and Mohammed Abdulazeez, the 26-year-old driver of spouse of an ex-international, Segun Odegbami, have appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N150 million worth of jewellery.
The accused were arraigned alongside Esther Pam, 28, a friend of the housekeeper.
The trio are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
They all denied the charges.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Peter Nwangwu, the trio committed the offences on December 10, 2016 at the complainant’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“The complainant (Mrs. Oyindamola Odegbami) on December 10, 2016 discovered that sets of jewellery as well as some personal effects were missing from her bedroom.
“The missing personal effects are; a set of Roberto Coin Gold set valued at $15,000 (N7.5 million), a set of Van Clef Diamond and Gold Butterfly jewellery valued at $50,000 (N25 million).
“A dangling gold jewellery set valued at $50,000 (N25 million), a set of black and white diamonds valued at $75,000 (N37.5 million), a plain gold set valued at $15,000 (N7.5 million).
“A big set of gold and diamond encrusted pendant valued at $50,000 (N25 million) as well as other valuable personal and household items such as an iPad, three Blackberry mobile phones, six Ankara fabrics etc.”
According to the prosecutor, the complainant after noticing that the items were missing, realised that Patrick, her housekeeper, who has yet to return from a holiday that ended over two weeks ago, was responsible for the theft.
Nwnagu told the court: “The complainant reported to the authorities and Patrick was apprehended at the home of her boyfriend, one Cpl. Mathias Hussein, a mobile policeman of Mopol 43, Lion Building, Obalende, Lagos.
“Police investigations also revealed that Abdulazeez, the complainant’s driver, and Pam, Patrick’s friend, also a domestic staff at a nearby house, had aided Patrick in stealing the items in suitcases.
“On interrogation by the police, Patrick admitted stealing Mrs. Odegbami’s household items and personal effects, but denied taking the jewellery.
“The property she admitted stealing were recovered from the Mobile Police Barracks residence of her boyfriend, Corporal Hussein, at Obalende, Lagos.”
The offences contravened Sections 278 (1), (2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
Speaking to NAN after the court proceedings, Counsel to Mrs. Odegbami, Kennedy Osunwa, said Hussein is yet to be arraigned in court with the other accused.
“The police are yet to charge and arraign Corporal Mathias Hussein for conspiracy and retention of stolen property in his official residence,” Osunwa said.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Y.O. Aje-Afunwa, granted each of the accused N2 million bail with two sureties each in like sum.
Aje-Afunwa said the sureties must be homeowners who must provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until October 17 for trial.
