A 45-year-old staff member of a Lagos-based company, D Breeze Protection Service Ltd., Kolawole Dawodu, has appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding his employer of N2.1 million.

Daodu is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretences, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in July 2024 and April 7, at No 217/219 Ikorodu Road, Illupeju, Lagos.

She alleged that the defendant and others at large fraudulently obtained the sum of N2,150,000, belonging to D Breeze Protection Service Ltd.

“The defendant stole from the company by including some names of ghost workers into the payroll system of the company, a representation he knew to be false,” Ikhayere said.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 287(7), 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He said that the sureties must provide proof of tax payments and verification of addresses.

He adjourned the case until May 20 for hearing.