Supervisor arraigned for allegedly stealing Federal Palace Hotel’s N23m

A 46-year-old hotel supervisor, Paul Mogaji, who allegedly stole his employer’s N23 million, was on Wednesday hauled up before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Mogaji, a resident ‎of No. 23, Onitire St., Itire in Surulere, Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Francisca Job, told the court that the accused committed the offence between January 2013 and November 2016 at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
She said the accused, who worked at the hotel, was also in charge of the hotel’s casino where he stole the money.
He alleged that the accused stole the money as the opportunity presented itself as shown by the audited books.
“When his employer asked him to give an account of the casino money, the accused could not account for the N23 million.’’
The offence contravened Section 2875 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused risks seven years on conviction according to the law.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs F. O. Botoku, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties should show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government while their addresses should be verified.
The case was adjourned to March 27 for mention.