KINGSLEY EBERE
A 22-year old man, Victor Irodi, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a mobile phone belonging to a worshipper, Alonge Raphael, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Parish during service.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the Redeemed Church parish, known as Living Stone Assembly, located at Isheri Holiday Inn, Ojodu Berger area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the church, pretended to be a worshipper and while prayers were going on, he stole two phones belonging to the victim and tried to escape while the victim was praying.
However, the suspect was unlucky as he was caught by the security men on duty and handed over to the Police at Ojodu Berger Division, where he was detained for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have done so. He informed the Police that he did not go there to pray but to steal and was unlucky that he was caught.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charge read:
COUNT 1: That you, Victor Irodi ‘M’ on 6th day of October, 2024 at about 1145hrs at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Stone Assembly, situated at No. 8, Isheri Holliday Inn, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, in Ikeja Magisterial District, did enter into the place of worship to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT 11: That you, Victor Irodi ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did enter into the place of worship and stole one Mose mobile phone valued at Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000.00) and one Tecno phone valued at Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) property of one Alonge Rapheal ‘M’ the representative of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Stone Assembly and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 311 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, 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 defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.