Man, 29, Docked For Stealing Woman’s Phone At Redeemed Church During Service

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 29-year old man, Alade Frank Joseph, has been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing a phone belonging to a woman, Mrs. Olufunmilola Kafar, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God during a church service in Lagos State.

 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the church’s branch known as Praise Palace, located at Babs Ogunwole Street, New Oko Oba area of Abule Egba, Lagos.

 

According to the Police, the suspect,  Joseph and others now at large went to the church and pretended to be worshippers. He sat beside the woman, who thought that they were members of their church who came for the church service.

 

While the prayer was going on during the service, Joseph reportedly stole the iPhone worth N700,000 belonging to Mrs. Kafar and tried to escape while the victim closed her eyes praying.

 

However, while he was escaping, he was accosted and apprehended by the security guards, who handed him over to the Police at Oko Oba Division for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

 

During interrogation, the suspect revealed that he was not a member of the church and only went to the church to steal but was unlucky that he was caught.

 

The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.

 

He pleaded not guilty.

 

The prosecutor, Supol Evelyn, 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. M.A. Adegbaye, granted him bail 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.