Housekeeper in court for allegedly robbing boss

Aja Bikram, an Indian, on Wednesday told a High Court in Igbosere, Lagos, that he was robbed of properties worth N3.2m by a four-man gang, allegedly led by his Nigerian housekeeper, Peter Maina.

 

Aja, who lives in the Lekki, claims Maina had been working for him for only eight months, when he allegedly led the gang to his house on the night of November 10, 2013.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Afolabi Sholebo, Bikram recounted, “On that fateful day, Peter, our housekeeper of eight months, who lived with my family, rang our doorbell; my wife opened the door for him after she had looked through the security viewer.

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

“I, my wife and our 15-year-old daughter were shocked to see the strangers in our house.

“While one of his accomplices pulled out a jack knife and held it to my throat, Peter ran into 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 bedroom where my wife was forced to bring out all the cash in the house.”

He said, “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 bathroom while my wife and daughter were left in the bedroom.

“They were also plotting to kidnap my daughter despite my giving them N265,000, an Ipad, our Iphones, three laptops and our household ornaments which amounted to N3.2m.

“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.” he added.

Bikram told the court that the operation lasted for about 45 minutes, adding that the family were locked inside the house for the entire period.

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

“We raised an alarm and our neighbours, who live in the Boys Quarters, came to our rescue and called the police.”

Bikram said when Maina could not be apprehended after 10 days, he went to the Indian High Commissioner at the Indian Embassy to lodge a complaint.

“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.” He said.

The preside Judge, Justice Opesanwo, adjourned the case till May 11 for cross-examination of the witness.