Graduate Arrested For Stealing Handset Inside Church At 1004 Estate

PAUL IYOGHOJIE

An ex-convict, who claimed to be a graduate of accountancy from Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, Williams Okonoboh Eromosele has been arrested for allegedly stealing a Huawei G73 phone valued at N70,000 belonging to Mrs. Ehindinibu Omowunmi at the Church of Resurrection Anglican located at 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The police at the Bar Beach division, who arrested Eromosele, 28, from Esan, Edo State, said that the suspect had earlier been arrested in 2016 for stealing money from Church offering box at another church in Victoria Island and was charged to court. He pleaded guilty to the crime and was jailed for six months.

Police alleged that the suspect committed the latest crime on 11 December, 2016 after he went to The Church of Resurrection Anglican at 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, to attend their service.

It was alleged that while the church members were deeply in prayer session, the suspect cleverly stole the complainant phone and escaped from the church.

Police said that when the complainant observed that her phone was missing, she used another phone to call the number of her missing handset, but the suspect received the call and told the complainant that she must pay him the sum of N10,000 before he will return the phone to her.

Following the development, the complainant reported the matter to the DPO in charge of Bar Beach division, Victoria Island, CSP Olusegun Ajamolaya, and he advised the complainant to play along and pay the money as bait into the account the suspect provided.

Nemesis however caught up with the suspect when he went to the bank to withdraw the money and he was arrested and taken to the station.

During the investigation, according to the police, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime and said that joblessness pushed him to be stealing inside churches.

After investigation by Inspector Sarah Ojie and her team, the suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ court on a one-count charge of stealing.

The offense, police prosecutor, Inspector Okete Ejima, said is punishable under section 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

The accused pleaded guilty to the crime in the open court and magistrate Mrs. O. Otitoju adjourned the case till 19 April, 2017 for facts and sentencing.