Two suspected thieves, John Uka, 29 and Ugochukwu Prince, 30 have been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly burgling a church to steal offering money after the mid week service but were caught in the process.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at night at Latter Power Pentecostal Assembly located at Bishop Street, off Mokola Bus-stop Egbeda, Lagos, after the suspects got into the church through the window.
However, when they did not find any money inside the church, they carted away a Yamaha power generating set and some security gadgets. But while trying to escape from the church, they were caught by security guards and handed over to the Police at Gowon Estate Division for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found them culpable for actually going to the church to steal money before they changed their minds to steal other items.
They were then charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
OUNT 1: “That you, John Uka Abiara “M”, Ugochukwu Prince “M’ and others now at large on the 3rd day of October and 31 October, 2024 at about 0800hrs and 0300hrs respectively at Latter Power Pentecostal Assembly located at Bishop Street, off Mokola Bus-stop Egbeda, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: conspiracy, breaking, entering and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 411 and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT 2: “That you, John Uka Abiara “M”, Ugochukwu Prince “M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did break through the window of Latter Power Pentecostal Assembly Church and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 306 and punishable under Section 311 of the criminal law of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT 3: “That you, John Uka Abiara “M”, Ugochukwu Prince “M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did break and entered the building of Latter Power Pentecostal Assembly Church and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 306 and punishable under Section 308 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted them bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.