By Our Correspondent
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha has sentenced two former employees of a beverage dealer to life imprisonment for burglary, stealing and conspiracy.
The defendants were convicted over the theft of ₦2.3 million from their employer’s shop and the subsequent burglary of her residence, where valuables worth ₦4.438 million were stolen.
The offences occurred in February 2021 when the defendants, who worked as domestic servants and sales assistants, allegedly broke into their employer’s shop at Relief Market and Relief Modern Market and stole money from a safe.
Days later, they reportedly burgled her residence and made away with expensive alcoholic drinks, designer shoes, clothing, rice and other valuables.
The stolen items included Moët, Glenfiddich, Dom Pérignon and Black Label drinks, as well as an ornamental eagle bird said to have held sentimental value for the complainant.
Police investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen property from the defendants’ residence.
The court also heard that the defendants led investigators to a native doctor’s shrine, where the ornamental eagle bird, which they had allegedly sold, was recovered.
They reportedly admitted consuming some of the stolen wines with friends at a party.
In his judgment, Justice Sylvester Odili held that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
He sentenced the defendants to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, six years for stealing and life imprisonment for burglary.
Reacting to the judgment, the Secretary of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Nonso Emeka, commended the prosecution team led by Chief State Counsel Chinyere Aganama-Onyeze.
He said the judgment demonstrated the state Ministry of Justice’s commitment to prosecuting offenders and protecting lives and property.
