An Ota Magistrates' Court in Ogun State has sentenced 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million from his employer to play a game of chance.

The Magistrate, Mrs. O.O. Fadairo, handed down the sentence on Monday after finding Olamilekan guilty of the charge against him. The convict was given an option of N60,000 fine and ordered to return the stolen N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector E.O. Adaraloye, Olamilekan committed the offense on April 7 at approximately 6 p.m. in Sango-Ota. The defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer's account without consent and used the money to gamble, subsequently losing the entire amount.

In her ruling, Magistrate Fadairo stated that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him. The offense contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Olamilekan had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing when the case began. The court's decision highlights the serious consequences of financial crimes and breach of trust in employment relationships.