A Justice of the Peace Court docket sitting in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, has convicted Nuhu Omokide, a franchise proprietor and supervisor of a department of DHL in Benin Metropolis.
He was convicted on a five-count cost, bordering on conspiracy to steal, stealing, and illegal interference with property.
Omokide, who was arraigned in Cost No. MEG/275c/2023/A was convicted on Tuesday, July twenty second by Afe Osamudiamen (Chief Justice of the Peace Grade I), underneath Sections 412(1)(2), 287(1)(b)(c), and 346 of the Prison Regulation of Edo State, 2022.
The cost adopted allegations that Omokide criminally transformed a parcel containing authentic tutorial certificates and different delicate paperwork belonging to his prospects.
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The parcel was submitted at DHL’s Airport Highway Workplace in Benin Metropolis in July 2023 for onward supply to the UK, nevertheless it allegedly disappeared underneath Mr. Omokide’s custody and did not arrive at its vacation spot.
The nominal complainants, annoyed by the defendant’s dismissive and uncooperative perspective, initially reported the matter to the Police.
Nonetheless, Omokide refused to cooperate with the Police investigation on the AIG Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin Metropolis, and as an alternative petitioned the Inspector Common of Police, alleging harassment.
The matter was finally charged to court docket upon the next conclusion of the Police investigation.
In his defence, counsel to the defendant, Razak Isenalumhe, argued that legal responsibility for the lacking parcel lay with DHL as a company entity, not with the defendant personally.
Nonetheless, the prosecuting counsel, Festus Usiobaifo, Principal State Counsel, submitted that the place an organization is concerned in prison conduct, its alter ego, together with the supervisor, may be held personally liable in the event that they instantly dedicated, aided, or abetted the offence.
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Usiobaifo argued that the defendant, having admitted operational management, accountability, and shut proximity to the parcel, couldn’t disguise underneath the company veil of DHL to keep away from prison legal responsibility.
He, due to this fact, urged the court docket to pierce the company veil, asserting that company cowl mustn’t ever be allowed to protect prison misconduct, particularly the place belief is wilfully breached.
Delivering his judgment, Chief Justice of the Peace Osamudiamen agreed with the prosecution and convicted the defendant on all 5 counts.
The Court docket held that firm executives and managerial officers will likely be held personally accountable for prison acts carried out in the middle of their duties, and that company safety can’t prolong to protect criminality.
