N1.5m theft: “It’s more than what you stole from Nigerian government” – Nigerians tell Obasanjo to drop charge against staff

A report that a 30-year-old employee of Obasanjo Holdings Limited, Ms Olajoke Monplaisir, was arraigned last week before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo for alleged stealing of N1.5m belonging to her employer, has caught the attention of some Nigerians.The company belonging to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo alleged that the accused, a protocol officer, stole the money which was meant for the payment of flight tickets of the company’s members of staff to Eastwind Travel Agency.

Police prosecutor, Sunday Egbejiale told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence sometime in August at Obasanjo Holdings Limited located at the Agbeloba area in Abeokuta.In their response, commentators demanded that the company drop the case because its owner made the said money in million fold while he called the shots at Nigeria’s seat of power, Aso Rock.One Igwe Nwana said “That’s too small compared to what the owner of the company stole as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In his own reaction, Kumar Wali lamented that: “Wonders never end! Baba, you are the ex-president of Nigeria for good 8 years. Why take her to court? he quipped.Wali further urged Obasanjo to pardon the employee, saying he was more than the money.For his part, Abou Abdul, said: “Haba Baba, from what you have taken from our country Nigeria, this is meaningless.”An anonymous respondent wondered why the former President could not “leave this ‘peanut’ to the poor woman.”Another one advised Obasanjo to ‘donate’ the money to the woman.

Continuing, “Have you forgotten how you forced corporate Nigeria to ‘donate’ N4billion to build ‘Obasanjo Library’ only for yourself? And that is why you went back to school so as to read all the books in that library alone.”

It was  recalled that the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft.

Chief Magistrate, Anthony Araba, granted her bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned till December 17 for further hearing.