Bartender Jailed for Stealing Drinks Over Unpaid Salary

A Wuse Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja has sentenced a bartender, Obinna Madu, to one hour of community service for stealing alcoholic beverages from his workplace.

Madu, who pleaded guilty to charges of criminal breach of trust and theft by servant, admitted to taking 11 bottles of Origin Bitters, two bottles of Gordon’s, and one bottle of Smirnoff X1, valued at ₦36,500.

He told the court he committed the offence due to delays in his salary payment.
“I have worked in Garden 22, Garki, Abuja, for one month and two weeks but have not been paid my salary,” Madu said. “I bought a phone at Easybuy Shop for ₦150,000 to pay in instalments, and the deadline was Aug. 29. I asked for my salary but was told there was no money. That was why I stole the drinks. Please have mercy on me; I promise never to repeat it again.”

Magistrate Umar Dodo ordered Madu to clean the court premises for one hour and directed that his phone, bought on credit, be seized until September 5. Dodo said the sentence was meant to deter others and warned Madu against future offences.

Earlier, prosecution counsel Chinenye Okafor told the court that the complainant, Samuel Okoronkwo, manager of Garden 22, reported the theft to Garki Police Station. She added that the stolen items were recovered during investigations.

The offence contravenes Sections 312 and 289 of the Penal Code.