Blessing Effiong, a domestic worker, has been apprehended by operatives of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, for allegedly stealing her boss's $51,000, approximately N81.6 million at the prevailing market rate.
Blessing was
arrested with her husband, Bassey Effiong by detectives of the Zonal Criminal
Investigation Department (ZCID) who trailed them to Cross River State where
they fled to after committing the alleged crime in Lekki, Lagos.
According to
the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Ayuba Umma, the couple
conspired and committed the offence on December 26, barely three days after
Blessing started working as a domestic help at the owner’s Lekki residence.
Umma, in a
statement yesterday, said the couple was arrested on January 31, adding that
they already used the money to acquire properties for themselves.
Asked who the
owner of the money was and whether he/she was interrogated for hoarding such
amount of foreign currency at home, Umma answered in the negative, stressing
that the information he provided was all he knew.
“Blessing
Effiong was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony and began
working as a domestic staff on December 23, 2023.
“Only three
days into her employment, she absconded with $51,000 USD and fled with her
husband to Cross River State.
“Following
intensive investigation, both suspects were apprehended on January 31, 2024.
“During the
investigation, it was revealed that Blessing Effiong had approached Anthony
under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and using
registered phone numbers not associated with her identity.
“She failed to
complete her employment application form, indicating her fraudulent intentions.
“Despite
initially denying the full extent of stealing, Blessing Effiong eventually
confessed to stealing Thirty Thousand United States Dollars ($30,000 USD),
admitting to giving Twenty Thousand United States Dollars ($20,000 USD) to her
husband, Bassey Effiong.
“Bassey Effiong,
in turn confessed to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for
settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchasing a tipper truck, two
motorcycles, and completing a construction project in Cross River State.
“Both suspects
have been charged and brought before the court following the completion of the
investigation, under the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police
in charge of Zone 2 Command. AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi.
“AIG Durosinmi
encourages members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough
background checks before hiring domestic staff for their safety and to prevent
falling victim to criminal elements,” Umma said.
Post a Comment