A 20-year-old man, Oladimeji Abubakar, who allegedly stole church property valued at N150,000 was on Thursday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Abubakar, who resides at Apapa area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful entry and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 16, 2016, at Light of the Lord Ministry Church, Onajire Street, Ijora-Badiya, Lagos. He said that Abubakar with others at large broke into the church premises through the fence. “The accused jumped the fence of the church and made away with trumpet, bells and amplifier, valued at N150, 000,’’ the prosecutor said.
According to him, the defendant was sighted by the church security guards as he was about to escape after stealing the items. “When he was questioned, he could not give a satisfactory answer as to what he was doing inside the church premises at that time,’’ he said.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 285, 309 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 285 prescribes three-year jail term as penalty for offenders. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N200, 000, with two sureties in like sum. Etti adjourned the case till Aug. 26.
Source : Vanguard
