KINGSLEY EBERE
A 31-year old man, Christian Onyekachi, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly drinking different brands of drinks at New Planet Resort and bolting away without payment.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that he has been arrested and charged for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and intentionally running away without payment.
The incident happened on 16th February, 2025, at the Resort located at Aka Road, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos State.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the Resort with friends and requested for the drinks. They finished drinking and the bill was presented to him to pay. But when he saw the amount involved, he pretended to have gone to ease himself and from there ran away.
However, the management reported his conduct to the Police at Ilembe Hausa Division. He was trailed, eventually arrested and detained at the station for interrogation.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable for his conduct and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
“That you, Christian Onyekachi, ‘m’ on the 16th day of February, 2025 at about 2230hrs at New Planet Resort, Aka Road, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos State, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did intentionally run away with the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand Five One Hundred Naira (N255,100.00) being the total value of 3 Bottles of Andre Drink, 4 Bottles of Magic Moment and assorted soft drinks, which you ordered and drank with your friends, with intent to deprive the owner, Sunday Nwobodo, ‘m being represented by Kelvin Audu ‘m’ of his money for services rendered to you, and thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigaria, 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Christian Onyekachi, ‘m’, on the same date, time and place. In the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by ordering for 3 Bottles of Andre Drink, 4 Bottles of Magic Moment and assorted soft drinks for you and your friends and failed to pay for the services rendered to you by the hotel management, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Uche Simeon, 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, Mr. L.K.J Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.