The Sun ex-sales executive arrested over alleged N1.7m theft

The police, yesterday, arraigned a former sales executive with The Sun Newspapers in a Lagos Magistrate Court over an alleged theft of N1.7 million belonging to the company. Samuel Unegbu, 37, was dragged before Magistrate Fadahunsi Adefioye of the Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Kirikiri on a one-count charge of misappropriation. He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

 According to the charge preferred against him, the ex-sales executive allegedly misappropriated the said sum between October 9 and November 1, 2011 while being an employee of the company. The prosecution alleged that the stolen money were proceeds from newspaper sales.

 According to the police prosecutor, Supr. Pascal Maduka, the offence is punishable under Section 285(8) of the Criminal Code, Cap 11, Volume 44, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. When the defence counsel, S. Shittu, prayed the court for bail for his client, the prosecutor did not object to the request but urged the court to grant the accused bail with stringent conditions.

 The trial magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties, one of whom must own landed property and present evidence of payment of Land Use Tax from 2010 to 2012. The court directed that the sureties must also be gainfully employed, verify their addresses and swear an affidavit of means.
 Trial in the matter has been fixed for May 30.