Mr. Okonta Friday, the manager and front desk officer of Davies Hotel, a popular hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, has been caught after years of defrauding the owner of the establishment, Ayo Ogundele.
Friday, after being apprehended, confessed that he has defrauding the hotel since the past five years.
In the confession video made available to NPO Reports, the manager disclosed selling rooms and collecting money from guests which were al transferred to his personal account.
He alleged carrying out the act with two other senior staff identified as Mr. Seyi and Mr. Wale.
Friday alleged that all housekeeping staff in the hotel are aware of the act and they get their share of the money made.
“For the past five years, I’ve been stealing from Davies Hotel. I’ve selling rooms. The major one is collecting money from guests, and they’ve been transferring to my account and I’ve been the one giving the remaining people money.
“When we get the money, I and Mr. Wale take the lion share and if Mr. Seyi is around, he also take part of the lion share and we share the remaining one with others.
“Basically, everyone in the housekeeping knows about it.” He said.
Friday further disclosed that he had built a house over the course dealing in the fraudulent scheme in the hotel, adding that a total of N17.8 million passed through his account in the last one year.
“I’ve built a house from this. From May last year to June this year, a total of N17.8 million has passed through my account. I admit I’m a thief and criminal.” He added.
NPO Reports contacted the Oyo Police Command to confirm the arrest of the hotel manager.
The command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, however said he has not been informed about the development.
“I’m not aware of that development.” Ayanlade said in telephone conversation with our correspondent.
Meanwhile, the incident has again raised growing concern over employee theft which had become a common challenge to several businesses across Nigeria.