A 49-year-old sales representative Okechukwu Nwosu was on Monday arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate Court, sitting in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, for alleged forgery and stealing the sum of N26m from his employer.

Nwosu is facing three counts bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor Inspector Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the defendant and others now at large conspired to commit the alleged offences.

Osuji told the court that Nwosu forged the stamp and receipt of a company, Embassy Pharmaceutical, where he worked.

He said the incident occurred between February 2022 and January 26, 2024, at the company in Idumota, Lagos Island.

The prosecutor also told Magistrate Oluwatosin Erinle that the defendant stole the sum of N26m, property of Embassy Pharmaceutical.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under Sections 411, 365 (3)(h) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Erinle granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2m, with two sureties in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a blood relation, who is gainfully employed and must show evidence of six months’ bank statement.

The magistrate also ordered that the sureties must show a means of identification, and evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have both their home and office addresses verified.

The case was adjourned till July 30, 2024, for mention.