How Robbers Burgled Fr. Gabriel Iheanacho’s Office Inside Catholic Church

KINGSLEY EBERE

The Parish Priest of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church, Greenfield Estate, Okota, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Iheanacho, lost huge sum of money after robbers burgled his office and chapel and carted away church’s money inside  four safes.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 25th October, 2024 at the church premises after the robbers broke into the church’s chapel and Fr. Iheanacho’s office through the window.

According to the Police, the suspects broke the church’s four metallic safes, where the money was kept and stole the money inside it and the chapel before they bolted away.

However, the matter was reported to the Police at Ago Division. The operatives moved into action and eventually two of the suspects, Mbam Peters, 32 and Jones Abimbola, 45, were later arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over the alleged burglary and stealing.

After rounds of interrogation, the Police found them culpable and consequently charged them before the Isolo Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy, wilful damage and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read:

COUNT I- “That you, Mbam Peter ‘M’, Jones Abimbola ‘m’ and others at large on the 25th of October, 2024 at about 1920 hrs at Our lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic church Greenfield Ago – Okota in the Lagos State magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II – “That you, Mbam Peter ‘M’, Jones Abimbola ‘m’ and others at large on same date, time, place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did break into our lady seat of wisdom catholic church chapel and reverend father’s parish office through the window with an intent to commit felony thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT III- “That you, Mbam Peter ‘M’, Jones Abimbola m’ and others at large on same date, time, place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal the sum of one million five hundred thousand Naira (N1,500,000) property of our lady seat of wisdom catholic church and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT IV-“That you, Mbam Per ‘M’, Jones Abimoola ‘m’ and others at large on same date, time, place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did willfully and unlawfully damage one window handle valued N75,000. Burglary proof valued N120,000, four metallic safe valued N150,000 each total valued N525,120 five hundred and twenty five thousand one hundred and twenty Naira, property of our lady seat of wisdom catholic church and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 350 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Solomon, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.I.Williams, 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.