The operatives of Lagos State Police Command on 30th May 2023 arraigned a sales manager, Kalapalliwar Parag, of GBGL Pharmacy Limited in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding his employer of a sum of N40m.
The defendant alongside his alleged girlfriend, Blessing Anthony, was arraigned before Magistrate O. Y. Odufope on three counts of fraudulent conversion, stealing, and an attempt to prevent the course of justice at the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos.
The prosecutor, Haruna Magaji, revealed that the 29-year-old defendant had wanted to escape from police custody while the investigation was ongoing at the airport in Asaba, Delta State capital, where he was arrested.
He added that the defendant, along with his 26-year-old alleged girlfriend, has been squandering the company’s money.
The defendant committed the offense on August 4, 2022; the same month and year he resumed working for the company located at No. 4A, Redemption Crescent, Gbagada, Lagos State.
The prosecutor council stated that the offenses were contrary to and punishable under Sections 314, 287, 97(1) (3), and 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The charge read in part, “That you, Kalapalliwar Parag, on August 17, 2022, at No. 4A, Redemption Crescent, Gbagada, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, being in the service of GBGL Pharmacy Limited as a Sales Manager, did intentionally, fraudulently converted N40m being proceeds of sales of pharmaceutical products, property of GBGL Pharmacy Limited, to your use and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
Consequently, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the offense
The Magistrate, Adefope, admitted his bail in the sum of N5m with two responsible sureties.
Meanwhile, she adjourned the case till 4th August 2023.
