Man, 30, Arrested For Stealing Toyota Venza Inside Catholic Church 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 30-year old man, Uzoma Michael, has been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing a Toyota Venza car valued N20m inside the premises of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 16th November,2025, at the church premises where the suspect forcefully collected the vehicle from the owner, Casmir Anayo Chukwu, under the false pretence of re-parking the vehicle and drove off.

However, Police operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad of the State Command tracked and eventually arrested the suspect.

According to the Police,  the suspect and others now at large conspired to obtain and steal Toyota Venza key with Reg. No. AGL 466 GN, grey in colour from one Samuel Chukwunonso ‘M’ under the pretence of re-parking the said vehicle within the church premises.

After collecting the key forcefully, he dove off with the vehicle from the Church and escaped to an unknown place. He was later arrested by the Police and charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

“That you, Uzoma Michael ‘M’ and others now at large on the 16th day of November, 2025 at about 1230hrs at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II:” That you, Uzoma Michael ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did forcefully obtain Toyota Venza key with Reg. No. AGL 466 GN, grey in colour from one Samuel Chukwunonso ‘M’ under the pretence of re-parking the said vehicle within the church premises, which you fully know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT III:” That you, Uzoma Michael ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal Toyota Venza car with Reg. No. AGL 466 GN, grey colour, valued N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira), property of one Casmir Anayo Chukwu ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT IV:” That you, Uzoma Michael ‘M’ and others now at large on le same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did dishonestly convert one Toyota Venza car with Reg. D. AGL 466 GN, grey colour, and the key for your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) (b) (2) (b) (c) (d) and punishable under Section 287 (5) (a) (b) (7) of the minal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT V:” That you, Uzoma Michael ‘M’ and others now at large on he same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by acts of violence against one Samuel Chukwunonso and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Philip Ademigbuji, 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 O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.