Nine hotel workers on Friday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over an alleged theft of N17.6 million belonging to their employer.

The defendants are Okonta Friday, 49; Oluseyi Adewumi, 50; Martha James, 33; Adewale Adedire, 47; Fashotito Folorunso, 48; Sunday Tojola, 39; Gafar Moruf, 30; Blessing Etim, 47; and Oseni Olalekan, 27.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy and theft.

The prosecutor, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences between 2021 and May 2026 at Davies Hotel, Old Bodija, Ibadan.

Mrs Durodola alleged that the defendants, who were employees of the hotel, stole N17.6 million, which were proceeds from payments made for lodging at the facility.

She said the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

Mrs Ogunkanmi ruled that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and one of the sureties must be a relative of each defendant.

She adjourned the case until September 29 for a hearing.

 (NAN)