A house maid identified as Blessing Effiong, has been arrested by operatives of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, for allegedly stealing her boss’s $51,000, approximately N81.6 million at the prevailing black market rate.
She was arrested with her husband, Bassey Effiong by detectives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) who trailed them to Cross River State where they fled to after committing the alleged crime in Lekki, Lagos.
According to the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Ayuba Umma, the couple conspired and committed the offence on December 26, barely three days after Blessing started working as a domestic help at the owner’s Lekki residence.
ZPPRO, Umma, in a statement on Friday, said the couple was arrested on January 31, adding that they already used the money to acquire various properties for themselves.
Asked who the owner of the money was and whether he/she was interrogated for hoarding such amount of foreign currency at home, Umma answered in the negative, stressing that the information he provided was all he knew.
“Blessing Effiong was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony and began working as a domestic staff on December 23, 2023.
“Only three days into her employment, she absconded with $51,000 USD and fled with her husband to Cross River State.
“Following intensive investigation, both suspects were apprehended on January 31, 2024.
“During the investigation, it was revealed that Blessing Effiong had approached Anthony under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity.
“She failed to complete her employment application form, indicating her fraudulent intentions.
“Despite initially denying the full extent of stealing, Blessing Effiong eventually confessed to stealing Thirty Thousand United States Dollars ($30,000 USD), admitting to giving Twenty Thousand United States Dollars ($20,000 USD) to her husband, Bassey Effiong.
“Bassey Effiong, in turn confessed to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchasing a tipper truck, two motorcycles, and completing a construction project in Cross River State.
“Both suspects have been charged and brought before the court following the completion of the investigation, under the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command. AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi.
“AIG Durosinmi encourages members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff for their safety and to prevent falling victim to criminal elements,” Umma said.