In a recent case, a man by the name Chukwuemeka Udeke was sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted to embezzlement of a company’s car.
The session was presided over by the Senior Magistrate, Theresa Ntem, in Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja. The court decided to convict Udeke for breach of trust and theft under civil law that entailed imprisonment with no provision for a fine.
It happened that Udeke who works with ECLAT HR Consult situated in Jabi, Abuja was dispatched to fill up the Toyota Camry of the firm with fuel. Rather than take the vehicle back, Udeke drove it to Enugu State after which he hid it . He then moved to Lagos to try and escape from the military police.
Although he escaped to Lagos, the police caught up with him and with his guidance, he led them to the concealed car in Enugu. These motives were held to have violated sections 312 and 287 of the penal code, for which Udeke was charged.
This case depicts the legal implications that are associated with theft and breach of trust at the workplace within the Nigerian context, stressing the need to maintain high levels of ethical practices at the workplace.
The decision reached by the court is important in establishing that the act is a serious offense and goes further in putting the actors on notice of the legal consequence of the act.
