Lagos: Domestic Worker Absconds With Employer’s $51,000 Three Days After Employment, Arrested In Cross River State

A couple has been arrested and charged in court by the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan-Lagos for stealing Fifty-One Thousand United States Dollars (USD 51,000).

The wife, Blessing Effiong, was employed as a domestic worker in the Lekki area of Lagos and had worked for just three days when she bolted from her employer’s residence with the money. 

According to a statement e-signed by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Ayuba T. Umma, the couple fled to Cross River State, but an intensive investigation by operatives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) fished them out on 31 January 2024, on the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi. 

The statement revealed that Blessing was recommended for employment by an agent, named Anthony (m), and started work as a domestic staff on 23 December 2023.

“Only three days into her employment, she absconded with USD 51,000 and fled with her husband to Cross River State”, the ZPPRO disclosed.

The ZPPRO further disclosed that, in the course of investigation, it was revealed that Blessing Effiong had approached the agent, Anthony, under pretences, by providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity. 

“She also failed to complete her employment application form, indicating her fraudulent intentions”, the Zone 2 image maker affirmed. 

Blessing, during investigation, initially denied the full extent of stealing, but later confessed to stealing Thirty Thousand United States Dollars (USD 30,000), and that she gave Twenty Thousand United States Dollars (USD 20,000) to her husband, Bassey. 

Bassey, however, owned up to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchased a tipper truck, and two motorcycles, and completed a construction project in Cross River State.

The police have consequently advised members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff, to guarantee their safety, and to prevent falling victim to criminal elements.

“Both suspects have been charged and brought before a court following the completion of the investigation”, the statement added. 

Eighteen-Eleven Media