Bizman Arraigned Over N5.5m Hotel Bills

A businessman, Brown
Graham, who allegedly failed to settle his hotel bills amounting to N5.5 million, was last Thursday charged before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Graham, 40, who lives at 15, Port Johnson, Port Harcourt, Rivers, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, breach of peace and failure to pay accumulated hotel bills.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that the accused with others still at large had occupied some rooms at Plot 2204, Nnamdi Ajagu Close, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, from September 6 to December  30, 2013.
He said that while the accused occupied the rooms in the hotel, the bill had accumulated to N5.5 million.
“Graham promised the hotel management that he would offset the bills immediately he finished his business transactions in Lagos but failed to do so.’’
Ojaokomo said the proprietor of the hotel, Mr Samuel Idowu, invited the police after unsuccessful efforts to collect the money from the accused.
The offences contravened Sections 321, 323 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 323 (1) stipulates seven years imprisonment for fraud, while Section 409 prescribes two years imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.
She ordered the surety to deposit N100, 000 with the court’s registrar and also show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.
Further hearing in the case has been fixed for January 29.