MICHAEL AKINOLA
A lady, Sophia Onyinyechi Osian, had a nasty experience at Christ Embassy Church in Lagos State, when she went for a Sunday service, closed her eyes while praying and her two phones were stolen by a supposed church member during the worship.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 28th January, 2024, at the Church auditorium located at Billings Way, Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos.
The alleged thief, Kenneth Unaegbu, was later caught while escaping from the church with the phones by the church security and handed over to the Police at Alausa Division for prosecution.
The 30-year old suspect was arrested and charged for stealing in the church.
According to the Police, the suspect, Unaegbu, went to the church and pretended to be one of their members who had come to worship on that day. And while prayers were going on, the victim was said to have closed her eyes and he stole her phones including Tecno Camon 20 and Spark 15 worth over N300,000.
However, he was unlucky as the phones were recovered from him and he was consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, he pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
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, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.