A Zone 2 Senior Magistrate’s Court, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sentenced a maid, Elizabeth Dogo, to four years in prison for stealing $20,000 (about N3 million) belonging to her employer.
The senior magistrate, Mr Shuaibu Usman, convicted Dogo, 23, after she pleaded guilty to the charge.
Usman also ordered the convict to pay back the $20,000 to Mrs Maris Asuku, her employer.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Christian Munonye, had told the court that the matter was reported at the Garki Police Station, Abuja, on July 27 by Asuku, who lives at Iwopin Close, Area 1, Section 1, Garki, Abuja.
Munonye said Asuku discovered that the amount was missing after she had sent her housemaid to bring her medication for her from a wardrobe in her bedroom where the money was kept.
The prosecutor added that the money was to be used by the complainant on a trip to the United States.
He said the maid left the house after stealing the money, but was trailed and arrested in Lagos, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 289 of the Penal Code.
Section 289 of the code states that an employee who steals the property of an employer or master shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years with or without an option of fine.
Dogo had told the court that she gave the money to an unidentified man from Port Harcourt.
“I gave the money to one man who said he was from Port Harcourt.
“The man told me that he was going to use the money for business and give me back,” she said.
[Tribune]