A 42-year-old sales representative, Juliet Olakpa, on Monday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding distributors of N3.6 million.
Olakpa, residing in Surulere, Lagos, is facing two charges: obtaining money by false pretences and stealing. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Bassey, the alleged offences occurred between January and April at Goonite Hygiene Nig Ltd, located on Ogudu Road, Ojota.
Bassey stated that Olakpa, who was one of the company’s sales managers, had conducted transactions with distributors and wholesalers, collecting a total of N3.62 million. Among the amounts allegedly obtained by Olakpa were N997,000 from a distributor named Don Baroni, N929,000 from Dettipeles Distributors, and N477,000 from Murphy King distributor. Additionally, she allegedly collected N677,000 from Ngozi at Arena and N539,000 from Uchenna, a wholesaler at Yaba, all under false pretences.
The prosecutor further claimed that Olakpa converted the funds for personal use instead of remitting them to the company.
The charges contravene sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, with section 314 carrying a penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretences.
Magistrate Mrs O.A Daodu granted Olakpa bail in the sum of N1.2 million with two responsible sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned until September 23 for trial.
(NAN)