Police Nab Apprentice, Accomplice For Diverting N250m Building Materials In Lagos

The Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, has arrested an apprentice and his accomplice for allegedly stealing cement and other building materials valued at over N250m from his employer to fund gambling activities.

This was disclosed in a statement by the PSFU spokesman, Ovie Ewhubare, on Saturday.

According to Ewhubare, the suspects, Ezekiel Taiwo and Rahman Airat, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion, embezzlement, and money laundering.

“In a significant development to an ongoing case of conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion of funds, embezzlement, and money laundering to the tune of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N250,000,000), the PSFU has arraigned two suspects; Taiwo ‘M’ and Airat before the Federal High Court, Lagos,” Ewhubare stated.

The case followed a petition by Jimoh Atofolaki, who alleged that Taiwo, an apprentice under him and stationed at the Osogbo branch of his company, diverted company property, including bags of cement and other building materials, amounting to N250m.

“Investigations revealed that Taiwo conspired with Airat to convert the goods and used the proceeds for gambling,” Ewhubare added.

The Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Okunade Nurat, had advised business owners to be vigilant when hiring staff.

“We urge members of the public to be wary and always ensure that they carry out thorough background checks before employing individuals to take charge of their businesses,” the statement read.

In 2019, a 20-year-old apprentice, Kosi Nnamani, was also arrested for a similar offence.

He was later arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing goods valued at N1.94 million from his master.