Newly Hired Driver Vanishes with Car in Lagos, Owner Seeks Public Help

A Lagos real estate developer, Olakanmi Ogundele, is seeking public help after a newly hired driver allegedly disappeared with his car just four days into employment. The driver, identified as Olufemi Jogbodo, reportedly took off with a Gelly saloon vehicle, registered AGL 586 GW, while Ogundele was attending a meeting.

Ogundele said Jogbodo, who initially gave the name Adeleye, was assigned to him on October 18 following the sudden illness of his previous driver. He accompanied Ogundele on a business trip to Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and returned to Lagos on October 20. The following day, he resumed normal duties, driving Ogundele to his office in Ikoyi before disappearing with the car.

The incident was promptly reported to the Ikoyi Police Division, but Ogundele expressed frustration over the slow progress of the investigation. Documents reviewed by reporters indicate Jogbodo is 44 years old and claims to reside on Dele Ogunbowale Street, Ikate, Lagos. Investigators also discovered he operates 11 bank accounts, raising concerns about his activities.

Authorities traced and briefly detained some of Jogbodo’s relatives, including his wife’s sister and a cousin, but they were released due to detention limits. His 75-year-old mother in Agbado Ijaiye could not be arrested because of her age. The manager who recommended Jogbodo was also questioned and admitted failing to verify the driver’s identity, citing Ogundele’s urgency to travel.

Ogundele confirmed that efforts are underway to announce a bounty to aid in the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the arrest of the suspect.