Two Chinese men, Zhen Zhen and Leo Feng, were on Wednesday charged before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, with setting a hotel valued at N17.8 million ablaze.

Zhen, 47, and Feng, 41, are facing a two-count charge of arson and wilful damage.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Olatunde Kehinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences in June at Bamishele St., Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

“The accused had lodged in the hotel and were cautioned to stop smoking in the premises to avoid starting a fire.

“This had annoyed the duo, who angrily went to their room and set the hotel ablaze, raising down a huge part of the building,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 339 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs B. Folarin-Williams, granted the accused bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a naturalised citizen, who must show evidence of regular tax payment.

“The accused are to submit their passports in a bid to avoid absconding and evading trial,’’ she said and adjourned the case to Friday for mention. (NAN)