By Paul Sanusi, Lagos

A Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Ebute-metta, has sentenced a puff-puff seller Oluwakemi Efunkeye, alongside her sister-in-law, Funmilola Okewole,  to two years imprisonment, for conspiracy and stealing

The convicted puff-puffy seller, a mother of one was said stole the sum of N3.2 million belonging to a Bureau de change, where she formerly worked as clerical assistant.

She was sentenced on Friday, alongside her sister-in-law by the court presided over by Chief Magistrate A. Demi-Ajayi, after they were found guilty of two count charges of conspiracy and stealing levelled against them.

Chief Magistrate Demi-Ajayi, whi handed down the verdict, said the duo should serve the prison terms of two years each without an option of fine.

The two convicts, were first arraigned before the court on July, 20, 2011, on a ten-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing but pleaded not guilty and admitted to bail.

Efunkeye, a former Clerical Assistant with the Bureau de Change at various times transferred various sums of money to various accounts owned by her friends including that of Okewole.

In sentencing and convicting the duo, the court said: “the court finds and hold by the evidence before it that the charge of conspiracy and stealing have been proved beyond reasonable doubt, the court holds that the two accused did conspire to steal the said sum and are guilty.

“The prosecution has been able to prove the case of conspiracy, stealing against these two.

“They each stand convicted of all the count charges against them with all the compelling evidence which was never contested by the defence.

“The accused persons, however, do not appear remorseful and have tried hard to dodge the consequences of their actions and have also wasted the time and resources of the government.

” I hereby sentence the two of you to one year imprisonment on the count of conspiracy and another one year on all the charges of stealing against you without an option of fine.”

The Chief magistrate further stated: “the evidence of the police against these two has proven beyond reasonable doubt that they committed the offences levelled against them.”

Earlier, at the arraignment of the convicts, the prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione had told the court that Efunkeye stole N3.2 million from the Bureau de Change between the months of May  and June 2011.

Uwadione said the complainant, told the court that the accused, stole the said sum which was at various times withdrawn at the former Fin Bank Plc, Ojuelegba by Okewole, her sister-in-law.

At their arraignment Efunkeye was 29-year-old while Okewole was 21.

The offences contravened Sections 390(6), 509 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

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