Church Worker Burgles, Steals N1.5m Musical Equipment

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A church worker at the Gospel Now Ministry, Johnson Ikechukwu Patrick has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for allegedly burgling the church and carted away musical equipment worth N1.5m, P.M.EXPRESS gathered.

The incident happened at the church auditorium located at Lawal street in Shasha, Lagos.

He was charged with burglary and stealing and was remanded in prison custody.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the Abia State-born Patrick who was a worker in the church attended a programme organized by the pastor of the church, Denis Balogun during the day.

Then, in the night around 9 P.M, he sneaked into the church and broke in through the window to gain entrance into the church auditorium.

When he did not find any money in the offering box, he reportedly carted away the musical equipment worth the amount and escaped.

Our correspondent gathered that among the items he stole are sound mixers, microphones, amplifiers, keyboard among others.

When the church members and workers resumed the next day for service, they discovered that those items were missing and they informed Pastor Balogun what happened.

The matter was reported to the police at Shasha division who went into investigation and discovered that it was Patrick that was behind the theft.

He was arrested and charged before Ejigbo Magistrates court with the alleged offence.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Kenneth Asibor did not object to his bail, but

urged the court to grant such bail that will enable Patrick to come for trial in the interest of justice.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs J.O.E Adeyemi granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.

The matter was adjourned till 11 July 2017.

When P.M.EXPRESS contacted the suspect, he admitted that he was a worker in the church and was not behind the theft as claimed by the police.