A 30-year-old sales representative, Ruka Mamud, has been arrested and charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing lace fabrics worth ₦10 million from her employer, a prominent Lagos-based textile merchant, Alhaja Adijat Foluke.
The alleged theft occurred over several months at the shop located on Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, where Mamud was entrusted with handling sales operations. The incident has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many questioning the security measures in Nigerian businesses and the rising cases of internal theft by employees.
Uncovering the Theft
According to reports, the theft was discovered after Alhaja Foluke conducted an internal audit of her stock, revealing that lace materials amounting to ₦10 million had mysteriously disappeared between August 1, 2024, and December 27, 2024. Alarmed by the discrepancy, the business owner promptly reported the matter to the Akinpelu Police Division, leading to Mamud’s arrest.
Police Investigation and Charges
Following her detention, detectives interrogated the suspect, and their findings led to formal charges under Sections 280 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015), which classify the alleged offense as theft, carrying significant legal consequences.
The official charge presented before the court read:
“That you, Ruka Mamud (F), employed by Alhaja Adijat Foluke as a sales representative in her lace shop at No. 376, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, between 1st August 2024 and 27th December 2024, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did steal lace fabrics valued at ₦10,000,000, property of Alhaja Adijat Foluke (F), and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Appearing before Magistrate O. Kusanu, Mamud pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then urged the court to set a hearing date, allowing the police to present evidence proving the alleged crime.
Despite the severity of the allegations, the magistrate granted Mamud bail under strict conditions, requiring:
- Two sureties,
- Proof of means of livelihood,
- Verification of residential addresses,
- Evidence of tax payments.
As Mamud was unable to immediately meet her bail conditions, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Center until further notice. The case has been adjourned for mention, with the prosecution set to present its case in the coming weeks.
Public Reactions and Business Security Concerns
The case has ignited debates across various social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn, where netizens have raised concerns about workplace trust, employee vetting, and fraud prevention in Nigerian businesses.
Some users sympathized with the employer, stating that business owners should implement better inventory management systems and security measures to prevent such incidents. Others argued that economic hardship and job insecurity could be major factors contributing to employee theft.
What’s Next?
Legal experts predict that if found guilty, Mamud could face a lengthy prison sentence, as theft involving high-value items is taken seriously under Lagos State law. Meanwhile, business owners in the textile industry and beyond are being urged to tighten security measures, conduct regular audits, and ensure proper documentation of inventory to avoid similar occurrences.
As the case unfolds, Nigerians will be closely watching to see how the legal system handles this high-profile business theft case.
