A nanny and a security guard were on Friday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing property worth N497,000 from their employer.

The defendants, Nkechi Joshua, 28, and Nwokoro Ndubuisi, 31, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing from their employer.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the police.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Thomas Nurudeen, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometime between Oct. 7 and Nov. 27 at No. 11, Oshinowo str., Medina Estate, Gbagada, Lagos.

According to him, the first defendant, Joshua, had assisted the second defendant, Ndubuisi, to get the job as a security guard with her employer, but failed to mention that they were cousins.

He said that the nanny, Joshua, stole jewelries and clothes from the complainant, Mrs Virginia Nzeribe, and gave them to the second defendant, Ndubuisi, who took them out of the house to hide.

He further told the court that the defendants were, however, captured on the house CCTV, stealing and transferring the stolen items.

Nurudeen listed the stolen items as a gold bracelet valued at N100,000, gold jewelries valued at N80,000, three pairs of shoes valued at N12,000, six blouses valued at N41,000 and three trousers valued at N45,000.

Others are Contact lenses valued at N18,000, costume gold rings valued at N3,500, hair attachment valued at N7,500, five under wears valued at N25,000 and cash of N3,000.

He said that the total value of the stolen items was N497,000.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 411 and 287 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Section 287 (7) stipulates seven-year jail term for stealing from one’s employer, while 411 provides for two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.

Chief Magistrate Mrs K.B. Ayeye granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ayeye said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until Feb. 25, 2020 for mention. (NAN)