Man, 28, Docked For Sleeping Inside St. Dominic Catholic Church At Night

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 28-year old man, Ogar Oswald, has landed in trouble for secretly sleeping inside St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos State for several months and insisted that he will continue because he is a member of the church and church belongs to God.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Oswald has been arrested and charged for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace under the Criminal Laws of the State.

According to the Police, the suspect, Oswald, had between May and July, 2024, been sleeping inside the church without the consent of the management until he was eventually caught and it was discovered that he had been doing so for several months.

He was told not to do so again but he insisted that he will so because it is the house of God.

The matter was reported to the Police at Sabo Division. He was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

According to the suspect, he told the Police that he did not commit any offence because he is a member of the church and the church belongs to God.

However, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Yaba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

The charges read:

“That you, Ogar Oswald ‘M’, between the months of May and July, 2024 at about between the hours of 7pm and 9pm at Saint Dominic Catholic Church Yaba, Lagos State in the Yaba Magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by always hiding in the church premises and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II:- “That you, Ogar Oswald ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did attempt to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 406(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor,  Supol Thomas Nurudeen, 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. P.E. Nwaka, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while address will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.