3rd November, 2016
A 20-year-old bartender, Richard Ayodele, who allegedly stole N50,000 from one Nicholas Umolu, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Senior Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Ayodele, who pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money by false pretences, is a resident of No. 12, Ayoola Edun St., Agbado, Lagos.
Magistrate T.O Shomade admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
Shomade said that the surety must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 21 at Wab Rasaq Hotel situated at Iju area of Lagos.
Akeem said that the accused conspired with one other still at large to steal N50,000 from the complainant.
The prosecutor said that the complainant, who was a customer at the hotel, said he bought drinks from the bartender two times respectively and he paid with his ATM card.
“The complainant said he bought drinks worth N2,000 the first time and 3,000 the second time. He said that the two times he paid, the bartender removed N20,000 and 30,000 from his account.
“Nicholas said he was not aware of what the bartender had done, until he checked his account balance when he got home and discovered that he had been duped by the bartender.
“He realised that the accused had deducted N50,000 instead of N5,000 from his account.
“Nicholas said that he quickly went back to the hotel and he reported the case to the owner of the hotel, who confronted his employee about it.
“The complainant said that Ayodele denied removing the money from his account when he was confronted. Nicholas reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested for further questioning,” Akeem said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provision of Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, if found guilty.
The magistrate adjourned further hearing in the case till Nov. 21.