Odegbami’s houshelps accused of N150m jewellery theft

A 25-year-old housekeeper, Rose Patrick, and 26-year-old driver, Mohammed Abdulazeez, domestic staff of Mrs Oyindamola Odegbami, wife of former Nigeria footballer, Chief Segun Odegbami, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate’s court charged with stealing N150 million worth of jewellery. 
The duo were docked alongside Ester Pam, 28, a friend of the housekeeper, before Magistrate Y. O. Aje-Afunwa
They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. However, the duo denied the charges. 

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Peter Nwangwu, the three allegedly committed the offence on December 10, 2016 at Mrs Odegbami’s residence at Bourdillon St., Ikoyi, Lagos.
He said: “The complainant (Mrs Odegbami) on December 10, 2016, discovered that her jewellery as well as some personal effects were missing from her bedroom.
“The missing personal effects are a set of Roberto Gold Coin valued at $15,000 (N7.5 million); a set of Van Clef Diamond and Gold Butterfly Jewellery valued at $50,000 (N25 million).
“A dangling gold jewellery set valued at $50,000 (N25 million), a set of black and white diamonds valued at $75,000 (N37.5 million), a plain gold set valued at $15,000 (N7.5 million).
“A big set of gold and diamond encrusted pendant, $50,000 (N25 million) and other valuable personal and household items such as an i-Pad, three Blackberry phones and six ankara fabrics, among others.”
The prosecutor told the court that Mrs Odegbami, after noticing that the items were missing, came to the realisation that Patrick, her housekeeper, who didn't return from a holiday two weeks after it ended, was responsible for the theft.
“The complainant reported to the authorities and Patrick was apprehended at the home of her boyfriend, a mobile policeman of Mopol 43, Lion Building, Obalende, Lagos.
“Police investigations revealed that Abdulazeez, the complainant’s driver and Pam, Patrick’s friend, domestic staff in a neighbouring residence, had aided Patrick in carrying out the allegedly stolen items in suitcases from the home.
“On interrogation by the Police, Patrick admitted stealing Mrs Odegbami’s household items and personal effects, but denied taking the jewellery.
“The property she admitted stealing were recovered from the Mobile Police Barracks residence of her boyfriend at Obalende, Lagos.”
According to him, the offences contravened Sections 278 (1)(2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Mr. Kennedy Osunwa, counsel to Mrs Odegbami, said the policeman is yet to be arraigned in court with the other accused.
Magistrate Aje-Afunwa granted each of the accused N2 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties be home owners, who must provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and, thereafter, adjourned the case till September 15 for trial.