Ex-HR Manager Jailed 6 Months For Theft Of Official Car

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has sentenced a former Human Resources Manager of The Delborough Lagos, Mrs Jovita Ibie, to six-month imprisonment for stealing an official vehicle belonging to the hospitality company.

Chief Magistrate B.A. Sonuga delivered the judgement after finding Ibie guilty of fraudulently converting a Toyota Corolla model car assigned to her office during her employment to her personal use.

In his ruling delivered on April 30, 2026, the court, the Magistrate, however, discharged and acquitted the defendant on three other counts bordering on conspiracy and threats to life, noting that the prosecution failed to adduce sufficient evidence to support the allegations.

According to the court, Ibie resigned from her position in November 2024 and was directed to return all company property in her possession. While she returned other items, including a laptop and identification materials, she failed to surrender the Toyota Corolla, insisting that the car was a gift to her by the management of the company.

The prosecution called four witnesses, including the hotel’s Chief Security Officer, operating officer, chief driver and the investigating police officer, who testified that the vehicle was an official car provided to aid her duties and not a personal gift.

During her defence, Ibie maintained that the hotel chairman had presented the vehicle to her in recognition of her dedication and hard work.

She told the court that she subsequently registered the car in her name and personally handled its maintenance.

While delivering the judgement, Sonuga held that the defendant failed to provide any documentary evidence proving ownership of the vehicle through a gift, noting that the car remained the property of the organisation.

The court further held that her refusal to return the vehicle after repeated demands and her failure to honour police invitations pointed to a dishonest intention punishable under Section 280 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.

The Magistrate concluded that the prosecution had proved the offence of stealing beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Ibie on the count.

She was thereafter sentenced to six-month imprisonment without the option of a fine.

“The Defendant (Jovita Ibie) is hereby discharged and acquitted on the offences 1, 2 and 4 while she is accordingly sentenced to six (6) months term of imprisonment without any option of fine in respect of count 3.

“I hold and so hold”, the Magistrate ruled.