31st July, 2017
Paul Iyoghojie
The Regional Manager with Fidson Health Care Plc, Lagos, Taofik Ajisebutu, 43 has been arrested for allegedly forging an LPO instruction bearing Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH to obtain drugs valued at N16.776 million from his employer under false pretence which he sold and converted the proceeds for his personal use.
Ajisebutu’s arrest was ordered by the Divisional Police Officer, D.P.O in charge of Ikoyi Division, Ikoyi, Lagos S.P Tijani Mustapha following a complaint by the management of Fidson Health Care Plc that Ajisebutu brought an LPO valued N16, 776, 620 to their office and claimed that the management of LUTH issued it to him to supply them drugs.
Police said following the suspect’s claim, the management of Fidson Health Plc believed and gave him drugs equivalent to the LPO to supply LUTH unknown to them that the LPO their manager presented to them was forged.
Police said that after the suspect collected the drugs from his employer, instead of supplying the management of LUTH as he claimed, he sold the drugs off and converted the proceed to his personal use.
According to the police, the secret became open when the management of Fidson Health Care Plc approached the management of LUTH for the payment of the drugs supplied them.
The management of LUTH allegedly denied issuing LPO to anybody to supply them drugs.
Following the development, the management of Fidson Health Plc reported the incident to the DPO, Mustapha who directed a team led by SGT Damian Oguinyi to arrest the suspect.
After investigation, Ajisebutu was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos, on a thre-count charge of felony to wit stealing.
Police prosecutor, Friday Mammeh informed the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on 5 June, 2017 during working hours at Fidson Health Plc.
Mammeh informed the court that the accused forged an LPO to defraud his employer of drugs valued at N16.776.620 knowing fully well that it was a forged LPO.
He said the offenses the accused committed were punishable under sections 312(1), 361 and 285(1) of the criminal laws of lagos state 2015.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and Magistrate B.A Shonuga admitted him on bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
Shonuga adjourned the case till 29 August, 2017 for mention while the defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison pending when he would fulfill his bail conditions.