MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 61-year old man, Koffi Stephen, who was arrested in the early hours of the morning while he climbed the Church fence in order to gain entrance, has confessed before the Police in Lagos State that he actually went to the Church to steal before he was caught.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the popular church known as Covenant Word Assembly, located at Lateef Adegboyega Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos.
The suspect was alleged to have woken up in the morning and climbed the church’s fence in order to have access into the church but was unfortunate because before he could enter into the church auditorium to steal, he was caught by security guards on duty.
After being apprehended, he was handed over to the Police at Ago Palace Division for interrogation over the conduct.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have jumped through the fence and informed the Police that his intention was to steal but had not done so before he was caught.
The Police found him culpable and then charged him before the Isolo Magistrates Court for the alleged offence despite the fact that he was not found with any exhibits.
He pleaded guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Mr. Oje Uagbale, then asked the Court to give a short adjournment since he pleaded guilty to enable the prosecution to present the facts of the matter so that he will be sentenced accordingly.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Akokhia, ordered his remand in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos and adjourned for facts and sentence.
The defendant risks several years of imprisonment if the prosecution presents the facts before the Court and he still admits to have gone to steal, as the alleged offence committed contravened Section 135 of the Criminal law of Lagos State.