A Lagos-based employee, Bello Saheed Samuel, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing ₦90 million belonging to his employer, an investment company.
Samuel, who worked in the finance department of the firm, was accused of fraudulently diverting the funds through a series of insider transactions. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to police investigations, the suspect allegedly absconded from Lagos with members of his family shortly after his fraudulent activities were uncovered. He reportedly cut off all communication lines in a bid to evade arrest.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), DSP Ovie Kenneth Ewhubare, disclosed that Samuel was eventually arrested in Oye-Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State following a coordinated manhunt across several South-Western states.
DSP Ewhubare revealed that the suspect allegedly laundered the stolen funds through the bank accounts of friends and relatives in an attempt to conceal the origin of the money.
Samuel has now been arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering, while investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals linked to the alleged crime.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Police Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, CP Kayode Ojapinwa, reiterated the unit’s commitment to tackling financial crimes across the country. He also urged corporate organisations to strengthen internal control systems and closely monitor employees to prevent insider-related financial abuse.
The case has been adjourned, and the suspect remains in custody pending further proceedings.