Robbers Invade Church, Cart Away Equipment
CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Robbers invaded a church in Lagos to steal money from the offering box but when they did not found any, in anger they carried all the musical equipment and escaped.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the popular Union Rock Evengelical Ministry located at Oseni Salawu Street in Egan area of Lagos.
According to the residents, the church, founded by one Dr. (Mrs.) Chioma Onuigbo, held a programme which attracted huge crowd within and outside and the robbers believed that the church might have realised huge sums of money. In the early hours of the morning, they invaded the church, broke the keys and gained access. But when they got to the offering box, they did not find any money there. The robbers were said to have become angry, carted away their musical instruments and escaped.
When the members came to the church for service, they realised that the church was burgled and the instruments carted away. They resorted to clapping of hands with worship songs but later reported the incident to the Igando Police Division.
The items stolen included: keyboard, equalizer, mixer, drums, speakers and others.
The police later arrested one of the suspects, one Emmanuel Jonathan, in connection with the theft and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrates court for burglary and stealing.
He denied and pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Kenneth Asibor, asked the court to give a date for trial to enable him to prove the case since he had pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.O. Shomade, granted Jonathan bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition. The matter was adjourned till 22nd October, 2018.