Hotel Manager Docked For Allegedly Stealing N16m From Sales

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 30-year old manager of The Safron Hotel, Idongesit Udo Ossom, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly stealing the sum of over N16m being proceeds from sales at the hotel. 

 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the hotel manager, Ossom, has been arrested and charged for conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal Law of the State.

 

The incident happened between December 2024 and February 2025 at Joel Ogunaike Street, G.R.A, Ikeja, where he was employed as the manager of the hotel.

 

According to the Police, while the suspect was the manager, he was collecting the money without remitting it to the company’s account until the management discovered the alleged fraud.

 

The matter was reported to the Police at Ikeja Division. The manager was then arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

 

The Police found him culpable after rounds of interrogation and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

 

The charges read:

“That you, IDONGESIT UDO OSSOM ‘M’ and others at large, within the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 412 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

 

Count II:”That you, IDONGESIT UDO OSSOM ‘M’ and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully obtain the sum of (N16,113,948,20k) Sixteen Million One Hundred and Thirteen Thousand. Nine Hundred Forty Eight Naira Twenty Kobo, property of THE SAFRON HOTEL and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 314 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

 

Count III: “That you, IDONGESIT UDO OSSOM ‘M’ and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District ,did steal the sum of (N16,113,948,20k) Sixteen Million One Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Eight Naira Twenty Kobo, property of THE SAFRON HOTEL and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 387 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

 

However, he pleaded not guilty.

 

The prosecutor, Supol Phillip Ademigbuji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

 

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

 

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.