Developer Alleges New Driver Fled With Vehicle

A Lagos real estate developer, Olakanmi Ogundele, says he is deeply unsettled after a newly hired driver allegedly disappeared with his Gelly saloon car just four days into the job. The vehicle, registered as AGL 586 GW, has now been declared missing, and efforts to track down the driver have stalled.

Ogundele explained that the driver, who initially identified himself as Adeleye, was assigned to him on October 18 by his company’s management after his former driver fell ill unexpectedly. He said the new driver, later identified as Olufemi Jogbodo, accompanied him on a business trip to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State on the same day he was employed. They returned to Lagos on October 20.

According to Ogundele, the suspect reported to work normally the next day and drove him to his Ikoyi office. The disappearance happened while Ogundele was attending a meeting.

He recounted the moment it occurred:
“I was in a meeting when he told the security personnel that I had sent him on an errand. Because the meeting was ongoing, the security officer couldn’t come in to confirm. That was how he drove off with the car and never returned.”

The Ikoyi Police Division’s tactical unit was alerted immediately, and an investigation was launched. However, Ogundele expressed concern that the case has not made meaningful progress.

Documents shared with investigators revealed that the 44-year-old suspect claimed to reside on Dele Ogunbowale Street in Ikate, Lagos. Further checks showed he maintained eleven separate bank accounts, raising more questions about his identity and intentions.

During the early phase of the investigation, some of Jogbodo’s relatives were traced and briefly taken into custody. Ogundele explained that they were eventually released after exceeding the allowable detention period. He also noted that officers tracked down the suspect’s 75-year-old mother in Agbado Ijaiye but did not arrest her because of her age.

The manager who recommended the driver was also detained for questioning. According to Ogundele, the manager admitted he failed to properly verify Jogbodo’s identity because the employer was in a rush to travel. The suspect had introduced himself using a false name and provided fake details.

Ogundele added that discussions were underway to issue a public bounty to help locate the suspect and recover the stolen vehicle.