Total Plc Staff Sentenced To Four Years’ Imprisonment For Stealing From British Airways
A contract staff of Total Plc and Jet fueller, Idris Bakare, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for stealing.
The Lagos Special Offences Court found him guilty of stealing N35,672,845.00 belonging to British Airways between October 23 and December 31, 2019.
Bakare, along with others, was accused of dishonestly converting the money for personal use.
Bakare pleaded guilty to the charges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented evidence, including a petition from British Airways, statements of the defendant, a statement of his bank account, and a cheque draft, during the trial. The court admitted these as exhibits and convicted Bakare as charged.
After his conviction, Bakare pleaded for mercy and promised not to engage in fraud again.
His counsel also asked for leniency, expressing apologies to British Airways, Total Nigeria Plc, Nigeria, and his family.
The EFCC counsel requested the court to impose the provision of section 297 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State regarding restitution to victims of the crime.
Ultimately, the court sentenced Bakare to one-year imprisonment on each of the four counts, with an option of a fine of N1 million on each count.
Additionally, Bakare was ordered to pay the balance of N36,676,000.00 over three years, starting from July 2024, and the sum of N4 million was refunded to be given back to British Airways. These terms are to run concurrently.
