The police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 19-year old sales girl, Onome  Ekpeti, before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing clothes valued at N3.3 million from her employer’s boutique.

Mr Ekpeti, who resides at Oworonshoki area of Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of breach of trust and stealing, to which she, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on November 17, 2024 at about 11.00 a.m. at Bola Street, Anthony Village, Lagos.

Mr Perezi said that the defendant was employed as a sales girl in a boutique belonging to one the complainant, Oluwapelumi Ojo.

He said that the defendant abused her position of trust by wearing new clothes meant for sale to nightclubs, after which he would dry clean them without anyone knowing.

He stated, “The complainant received multiple complaints from customers regarding the clothes, citing two main issues, an unpleasant smell on the clothes and that the clothes were second-hand (fairly-used). The trend continued until the defendant was caught stealing a T-shirt valued at N14,000 and a perfume worth N35,000.’’.

The prosecutor put the total value of the clothes at N3,307,000.

The offences, according to him, contravene Sections 168(d) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, S.K. Matepo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Matepo said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant.

She adjourned the case till February 12 for further mention.

(NAN)