MICHAEL AKINOLA
Members of the The Redeemed Evangelical Mission Church (TREM), founded by Bishop Mike Okonkwo, woke up in the morning on a fateful day to attend service only to discover that all the musical equipment inside the church had been carted away by armed robbers in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the church’s headquarters located at Gbagada area of Lagos, where the daredevil armed robbers were said to have invaded.
According to Police sources, the robbers went to the Church at night, damaged the three German doors which led to the Church Auditorium and offices in search of money from the church offering but they did not find any.
They then decided to cart away all the musical equipment found in the church and went away despite the fact that the church had security men guarding the premises at night.
What was still a surprise to the members of the church was how the armed robbers broke the doors, stole the items and escaped before the management of the church only got to know later in the morning.
However, the matter was reported to the Police, who moved into action and arrested some suspects behind the robbery operation in the church.
Suspects arrested included Kelechi Israel, 39, Emola James, 28, Leo Abi, 25, Ifeanyi Mba, 40, Augustine Bassey, 47 and Macufford Odiong.
They were subsequently charged before the Yaba Magistrates Court for conspiracy, malicious damage and stealing.
They pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Rita Momah, 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, Mrs. Adeola Olatunbosun, granted them bail in the sum of N6m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.
They were remanded in the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 2nd August, 2022, for mention.