Two Nigerian men working for a Benin, Edo State-based Chinese national have been arrested after they were accused of conspiring to steal their boss’ money and setting his house on fire.
Frank Chukwuneye, 30, and Zakari Abdullahi, 25, were employed as interpreter and security guard respectively by the Chinese businessman, Tom Wu.
According to reports, Wu went to the bank on December 29 to withdraw the sum of N450,000, which he kept in his house, a fact that was only known to Chukwuneye.
However, Chukwuneye, who was on a monthly salary of N70,000, allegedly had designs on his boss’ money and conspired with the gateman to steal the money which was kept in Wu’s bedroom.
To facilitate the deal, Chukwuneye promised to give Abdullahi, who was on a monthly salary of N30,000, the sum of N100,000 as his own share of the booty and also gave him the key to their boss’ bedroom.
To cover up their action, he allegedly instructed the gateman to set the house on fire after making away with the money.
Speaking with Sunday Sun, Abdullahi narrated how the act was planned and executed: “On December 30, 2015 when our Chinese master went out, I went to his bedroom, opened it with the key Frank gave me. I saw the N450,000 where they kept the money on the drawer. I took the N450,000, put in the hollow of a loudspeaker and then set the house on fire.”
When he learnt that his house was on fire, Wu immediately rushed home and, getting to his bedroom, suspected foul play.
He then went to the Ugbor Police Station with Chukwuneye to make a report of the incident.
The case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and during the course of investigation both men were apprehended.
Chukwuneye also confessed to the crime, and admitted being the mastermind of the whole incident, just as Abdullahi said, Sunday Sun reports.
The victim, Wu, expressed disappointment at the action of the two men he ordinarily should trust.
He also called on the police to ensure justice is done, while imploring them to recover his money for him.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.