‘How houseboy, three other robbed Indian boss of N3.2m’

A Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on Wednesday heard how a house keeper, Peter Maina, allegedly robbed his Indian boss, Aja Bikram of money and property valued at N3.2million.

Led in evidence by state counsel, Afolabi Sholebo, before Justice Aishat Opesanwo, Bikram alleged that Maina, with three others gagged him, his wife and 15 year old daughter and threatened them with a knife in November 10 last year.

Bikram, an employee at Euro Global Food Distillage Limited, Lekki, told the court that the defendants had planned to attack him on the night of November 9, but postponed their plan to the following morning because he had visitors.

“On that fateful day, Peter our housekeeper of eight months who lived with my family rang our door bell, my wife opened the door for him after she looked through the security viewer of our home.

“He was followed immediately by three accomplices who forced their way into our house.

“I, my wife and 15-year-old daughter were shocked to see the strangers in our house. One of his accomplices pulled out a jack knife and held it to my throat.

“Peter ran to the kitchen to take our household knives to arm his accomplices during the ordeal.

“They ordered us with knives on our throats to remove our jewellery and wrist watches and we were also ordered into the toilet where my wife was forced to bring out all the cash in the house.

“I and my wife were tied with ropes while my daughter was tied with the dog leashes used for our two puppies.

“My mouth was also gagged with a red handkerchief and I was locked in the toilet, while my wife and daughter were left in the bedroom,” he said.

Continuing, the Indian told the court the ordeal lasted 45 minutes, adding that the defendants planned to kill him as well as abduct his daughter for ransom.

“I overheard them plotting to kidnap my daughter, collecting N265, 000, an IPad, our Iphones, three laptops and our household ornaments which amounted to N3.2million.

“Peter and his gang also wanted to kill me but their plan was aborted after they heeded to the pleas of my wife and daughter.

“After they left, my daughter was able to set herself free from the dog leash used to tie her and she untied my wife and they unlocked the toilet door and released me.

“We raised alarm and our neighbours who live in the boys’ quarters came to our rescue and called the police,” said Bikram.

Explaining how Maina was apprehended, Bikram claimed it took the intervention of the Presidency, following his report at the Indian High Commission when he realised the police was unable to apprehend the prime suspect 10 days after.

“After I lodged a complaint with the Indian High Commissioner who in turn spoke to the Presidency, the matter was taken up by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

“Peter who was already working as a security guard at Anthony area of Lagos was arrested by the police as well as his accomplices.

“Some of the phones that were stolen from us were found in Peter’s possession. The phones are currently in possession of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),” he said.