The defendant also importantly stated that he did not leave his duty post
until closing hours during the weekend assignment. The only people who would
verify that assertion are the security men who did not come to Court to testify or
any other staff of the Bank who was also on weekend duty on that day.
The Defendant stated clearly that the key was with Vitalis, when the term
of his duty had not lapsed. lt is obvious that PW1's testimony is not that of an eye
witness account to the commission of any offence. PW2 lamented the
uncooperative attitude of the said Bank's officials and with yawning gaps arising
from poor investigation into this case, it is difficult for this court to rely confidenily
on her evidence, or ascribe probative value on same.
On Count l, which deals with stealing, this Court relies and adopts the
elements of the offence for which the prosecution has to prove in a case of
stealing as enumerated in the case of Olamolu V. State, supra, at 600. This
Court also refers to the case of Dr. OIu Onagoruwa V. The State (1998) 1 ACLR
435 at 469"
It is on record that body saw the Defendant steal this said sum of money.
PW1 was not there when this money was stolen. Neither was PW2. Any
evidence given by PW1 pointing to complicity of the Defendant based on
information he got from his manager would amount to hearsay evidence , and
thus inadmissible. lt has been stated hereinbefore the fatality of the evidence of
vital witnesses not testifying in Court and producing vital, relevant and credible
evidence before Court. Also highlighted hereinbefore is the absence of
documentary evidence regarding actual amount stolen, how much money was
loaded and record of withdrawals during that weekend which are sorely lacking.
lndeed, in the Dr. olu onagoruwa's case, His Lordship, Tobi, JCA, as then
was, and, now of blessed memory stated atp. 4TS, thus:
"Where specific sums are allegedly stolen
on specific dates, the
prosecution must prove that the various sums for which the accused was
charged actually got into his hands before he could be properly convicted."
Fu,rthermore, still
stated:
at P" 47s, His Lordship, Tobi, JCA, as he then was
"Where an accused person is charged with stealing a specific amount, the
prosecution has the burden to prove that the amount alleged was stolen".
ln this instant case, the prosecution has not disclosed or
established
whether the said sum of money allegedly missing actually got into his hands.
1.6