BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
An Osun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo has convicted a 36-year-old man, Ben Effiong Bob, for consuming foods and drinks worth N1, 507,200 when he lodged in a hotel for two days barely a year ago.
Bob was said to have languished in prison custody for a year after his earlier appearance in court for the offence.
Court found him guilty of eating and drinking assorted foods and drinks during his two-day lodging at Kabtok Hotel, Osogbo.
Police prosecutor, ASP John Idoko, told the court while presenting the facts of the matter that Bob had promised to pay for the things that he bought through bank transfer but failed to do so.
The defendant was, therefore, accused of stealing the sum of N1, 507,200 property of Kabtok Hotel, Osogbo.
The charge against him read that “Ben Effiong Bob, between 16th and 18th of February, 2021, at Kabtok Hotel, Osogbo, did by false pretense and with intent to defraud, obtain goods (foods and drinks) valued at N1, 507,200 from Odekunle Nurain Adebayo of Kabtok Hotel, Osogbo, with the pretense of making payment through mobile bank transfer into Kabtok Hotel’s bank account, a pretense you knew to be false.
“That you (Bob) on the same date and place, did steal goods (food and drinks) valued at N1, 507,200 property of Kabtok Hotel, Osogbo.”
Idoko said that the convict committed offences contrary to Section 383 and punishable under sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State 2002.
Bob pleaded not guilty when he was initially arraigned and was remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre after he failed to meet the conditions of his bail.
After about a year of staying in prison, the matter came up again for hearing recently. He then pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.
He lamented how he had been bedridden for four months at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa over an undisclosed ailment and prayed the court for pardon so that he could go and seek comprehensive medical care.
Magistrate A. K. Ajala found Bob guilty as charged and was convicted.
