Lagos, Nigeria – A police investigator, ASP Okoh Kenneth, has detailed how his team apprehended Fatai Adebayo, a fugitive warehouse manager accused of stealing products worth ₦1 billion from RSMN IMPEX LIMITED.
Testifying before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, ASP Okoh stated that his team was assigned to investigate a petition filed by an RSMN IMPEX LIMITED director regarding the theft.
The director alleged that upon returning from a medical trip, he discovered that goods valued at ₦1 billion had gone missing from the company’s Ikotun warehouse.
Efforts to contact Adebayo, who had been left in charge, proved unsuccessful.
The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police later arraigned Adebayo, along with two co-defendants, Adewale Adebayo and Sodiq Olagunju, on charges of conspiracy and stealing before Justice Ismail Ijelu.
ASP Okoh explained that investigations led to the arrest of Adebayo at a newly built hotel, Olafat, in Ilorin.
He was subsequently brought back to Lagos for questioning.
During interrogation, Adebayo allegedly confessed to stealing goods worth ₦500 million, with assistance from his co-defendants.
Also Read: Three Former RSMN IMPEX Employees Arraigned for Alleged ₦1 Billion Theft
He reportedly disclosed that the proceeds were distributed through his First Bank account, with ₦200 million going to the second defendant and ₦35 million to the third.
Further investigations revealed that Adebayo used part of the stolen funds to build the Olafat hotel and finance his children’s education abroad.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Dr. Emmanuel Jackson, head of the Police SFU legal department, submitted key documents, including arrest and search warrants, the complainant’s petition, and statements from the defendants.
Defense counsel objected to the admissibility of some documents, arguing that they had not been properly filed.
However, Justice Ijelu admitted them as exhibits, instructing the prosecution to provide clearer copies for the defense’s review.
The case was adjourned to April 15 for continuation of trial.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired to steal 8,000 cartons of Lude Polish between 2019 and October 2024 while working for RSMN IMPEX LIMITED.
They were charged under Sections 516A and 390(7) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
