N150m theft: Odegbami’s housekeeper docked for stealing wife’s jewellery
Two domestic staff of Mrs Oyindamola Odegbami, wife of a Nigerian football legend, Chief Segun Odegbami, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates Court for stealing N150million worth of jewellery.
Rose Patrick , 25-y ear-old housekeeper and Mohammed Abdulazeez, the 26-year-old driver were docked alongside Ester Pam, a friend of the housekeeper on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing before Magistrate Mrs Y.O Aje Afunwa.
The defendants however denied the charges. According to the prosecutor, inspector Peter Nwangwu, the trio allegedly committed the offence on Dec. 10, 2016 at Mrs Odegbami’s residence at Bourdillon St., Ikoyi, Lagos.
“The complainant (Mrs Odegbami) on Dec. 10, 2016, discovered that 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 (N7.5million) a set of Van Clef Diamond and Gold Butterfly Jewellery valued at $50,000 (N25million).
“A dangling gold jewellery set valued at $50,000 (N25million), a set of black and white diamonds valued at $75,000 (N37.5million), a plain gold set valued at $15,000 (N7.5million
“A big set of gold and diamond encrusted pendant valued at $50,000 (N25million) as well as other valuable personal and household items such as an Ipad, three blackberry mobile phones, six Ankara fabrics etc,” he said.
The prosecutor further informed the court that Mrs Odegbami, after noticing that the items were missing, came to the realization that Patrick her housekeeper who never returned from a holiday that ended over two weeks ago was responsible for the theft.
“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 domestic staff in a neighbouring residence, had aided Patrick in carrying the allegedly stolen items in suitcases from the home.
“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 Cpl. Hussein at Obalende, Lagos,” Nwangwu said.
According to him, the offences contravened Sections 278 (1)(2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
Speaking, counsel to Mrs Odegbami, Mr Kennedy Osunwa, said that Cpl. Hussein, is yet to be arraigned in court with the other accused. “The police is yet to charge and arraign Cpl. Mathias Hussein, for conspiracy and retention of stolen property in his official residence,” Osunwa said.
The Magistrate, Aje-Afunwa granted each of the accused N2million bail with two sureties 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
The case was thereby adjourned till Sept. 15 for trial.
Titilope Joseph
