Police in Osogbo have apprehended a 25-year-old man suspected to be an internet fraudster for allegedly ordering for assorted drinks valued at N1, 483,600 at a club in Osogbo, capital of Osun State but failing to offset the bill.
The suspected internet fraudster identified as Kehinde Ibitoye reportedly took some girls alongside some of his friends to Eminence Club, Asubiaro Area, Osogbo and ordered for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks which he and his guests drank in celebration of the New Year.
According to report, the suspect also smoked shisha at the club, and also borrowed the sum of N13,000 from the club’s waitress with a promise to pay through bank transfer, but failed to meet the commitment.
The club’s management was said to have reported the matter at a police station in Osogbo following which he was arrested and arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court on two count-charges of fraud and stealing.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Fatoba Temitope, the accused person committed the offence on January 2, at about 11pm at Eminence Club, Osogbo.
“Ibitoye Kehinde, unlawfully and fraudulently obtained three casket-wine valued at N280,000; two Hennessy drink valued at N100,000; Hollandia Yoghurt valued at N2,600; two Azul Deprosade valued at N800,000; Coca Cola drinks valued at N4,000; Shisha valued at N3,000; bottled water valued at N1,000 and cash sum of N13,000 from one Kehinde Omolola Demilade, a waitress at Eminence Club, under the pretence of making payment through mobile bank transfer, a pretence he knows to be false.
“That Ibitoye Kehinde did steal three casket-wine valued at N280,000; two Hennessy drink valued at N100,000; Hollandia Yoghurt valued N2,600; two Azul Deprosade valued at N800,000; Coca Cola drinks valued at N4,000; Shisha valued at N3,000; bottled water valued at N1,000 and cash sum of N13,000 with total value of N1,483,600 from one Kehinde Omolola Demilade, a waitress at Eminence Club, property of Oyewole Adewale (the club owner),” the prosecutor informed court.
The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
Kehinde pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The defence counsel, Olapuposi Egbedeni, pleaded with the court to grant the defendant bail, saying that he would be available to stand trial.
However, the prosecutor objected to his bail application on the ground that he attempted running away after consuming the drinks at the club, stressing that if granted bail, Kehinde would abuse the privilege.
Magistrate A. A. Adeyeba adjourned the matter till January 31 for consideration of bail.