CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 34-year-old man, Ibeh Livinus, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over allegations of breach of peace and theft of the sum of Ten Million Naira belonging to Atrium Lagos Hotel in Ojodu area of the state.
Livinus was arraigned before Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi on a two-count charge of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and stealing, offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 168 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between November 2025 and June 2026 at Atrium Lagos Hotel, located at Plot 18, Agoro Street, Omole Phase 1, Ojodu, within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
According to the charge sheet, in Count 1, Livinus was alleged to have caused breach of peace by giving out his Opay account number 8067264015 to a hotel customer instead of the hotel’s official account number 5400984071 belonging to Providus Bank.
The prosecutor said the act was done in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace and could lead to financial loss to the establishment. She argued that diverting payments meant for the hotel to a personal account undermines business operations and public trust.
In Count 2, SP Ihkayere alleged that the defendant, on the same date, time, and place, stole the sum of Ten Million Naira, property of Atrium Lagos Hotel, represented by Sanni Opeyemi and George Theonu.
The alleged theft, the prosecutor said, is punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations and to allow time for the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to review the case file.
After listening to the submissions of the prosecution, Magistrate Owolabi granted the defendant bail. The court ordered that he should provide two sureties.
The Magistrate further ruled that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and present proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions. The court emphasized that the sureties must be credible and resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
The Court further adjourned the case for mention and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre in Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending the perfection of bail conditions.
The matter was investigated by officers from Ojodu Police Station. The Divisional Police Officer of Ojodu Division signed off on the charge, while the case was marked with DPP approval from the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba.
Legal experts say that Section 287 of the Lagos Criminal Law deals with stealing, and carries significant penalties upon conviction, while Section 168 addresses conduct likely to cause breach of peace. They noted that financial crimes in the hospitality sector have increased concerns among business owners in Lagos.
Atrium Lagos Hotel is a mid-range hospitality facility located in Ojodu and serves customers across Ikeja and environs. Management said the alleged fraud was discovered during an internal audit of the hotel’s accounts between late 2025 and mid 2026.
The hotel management, through its representatives, is expected to provide further evidence during trial to support the allegations.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction.