Security Guard Jailed for Attempting to Poison His Employer

Look at what the craze for quick money without commensurate work have caused. For attempting to poison their employer with a view to steal his money, Genesis Anthony, a security guard and his accomplice, Victor Jegede, have been jointly sentenced to five years imprisonment. Unfortunately for the duo, their sentences were without an option of fine.

Delivering judgement on the matter, Mrs. Folake Davies-Abegunde of the...

Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos, said Anthony should spend four years in prison while his accomplice, Jegede, should serve a year behind bars (which he had already served in detention). Describing the action of both men as wicked and inhuman, Mrs. Davies-Abegunde said: “Both of you are serious threats to the society and since you have failed to convince the court otherwise, you are hereby sentenced accordingly.”

The prosecutor, Sgt Peter Nwangwu, said the accused committed the offences at No. 1, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ogombo, Lagos. He told the court that the accused, sometime in August 2010, conspired to eliminate their boss, Aruwaji Adedipe, by adding to his meal some powdery substance suspected to be poison, with the aid of his housemaid.

In his words: “Anthony, having got wind of his boss’ possession of some hard currencies, conspired with Jegede to eliminate him with the help of their housemaid and steal the money. Unfortunately for them, the housemaid, simply identified as Mary, refused to ‘cooperate’ and consequently reported the matter to the estate’s security personnel. The two conspirators were then arrested and charged to court.”

The charges preferred against them included conspiracy, intent to poison another person, threat to life, unlawful damage and escape from lawful custody. The offences contravened Sections 337, 86, 451, 135 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.