By Lukman Olabiyi
Police have arraigned a 31-year old man, Ishola Mubarak Babatunde and his father, Ishola Rasheed Bayo, 55, for stealing N75 million belonging to their employer, Lotgrand Limited.
The defendants were arraigned on June 27 before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court , Yaba on two- counts charge of stealing and diversion of fund.
The defendants however , pleaded not guilty to the charge, and were granted bail in the sum of N10 million naira with two surety in the like sum.
According to the police prosecutor, Mike Enejere, the first defendant, Babatunde served as the account officer for the Lotgrand, a registered lotto company in Lagos, adding that the fund was diverted between 2020 and 2023.
The two count- charge read: said: “That you, Ishola Mubarak Babatunde , Ishola Rasheed Bayo, and others now at large , between the years, of 2020 to 2023, at LOTGRAND LTD, a registered lotto company in Lagos, within the magisterial district of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit; Stealing.
“You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”
On the second count, the force said: “That you, Ishola Mubarak Babatunde and others now at large, on same date, place and within the magisterial district of aforementioned, did stole the sum of Seventy-Five Million Naira (N75,000,000) property of LOTGRAND LTD, Lagos, while you served as the Account Officer, as you dishonestly and fraudulently diverted the said sum belonging to LOTGRAND LTD, a registered lotto company, to your personal account and that of your cohorts.”
“You hereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 (8) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015,”.
Magistrate, Mrs Mojisola Salau has adjourned till September 3, 2024 for further hearing.
