MICHAEL AKINOLA
A cleric, Pastor Kayode Olanrewaju, of the Christ Apostolic Church in Lagos State will not forget 1st August, 2024, when he went to their church and discovered that it was burgled and musical equipment worth over N1.3m was carted away by robbers.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the church’s branch, Miracle Assembly, located at Catholic junction, Shibiri Road, Ojo, Lagos.
The Police said that one of the suspects, Ademola Busari, 31, has been arrested over the alleged invasion of the church.
According to the Police, the suspect, Busari and others at large, did conspire amongst themselves 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.
The Police alleged that Busari, who is the prime suspect and others jumped through the church’s fence before they broke into, carted away the items and escaped. Apart from stealing the items in question, the suspect was alleged to have stolen some drugs in the same church before he escaped.
When the Pastor and other members of the church went for service, they discovered that the items were stolen and reported to the Police at Ilembe Hausa Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him for interrogation over the alleged theft.
The Police found him culpable after interrogation and consequently charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
Part of the charges read:
“That you, Ademola Busari ‘m’, and others at large on the above mentioned date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did break and enter into the above mentioned church, knowing same to be a place of worship and committing felony therein, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 311 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
That you, Ademola Busari ‘m’, and others at large on the above mentioned date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the following items (1) One Yamaha Keyboard valued Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) only. (2) one DBX Crossover valued One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00) only, (3) Two DBX Equalizer valued Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) only and Two Trumpets valued Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N350,000.00) only, bringing the total value of items stolen to the sum of One Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,300,000.00) only, all properties of Christ Apostolic Church, Miracle Assembly, being represented by Pastor Kayode Olanrewaju ‘m’ and converted same to your personal use without the consent of the rightful owner and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
That you, Ademola Busari ‘m’, and others at large on the above mentioned date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal (1) Four sets of circumcision sets, (2) Four sets of delivery peaks and some antibiotic tablets valued above Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00) only, property of one Nurse Elizabeth Akwete, ‘f and converted same to your personal use without the consent of the rightful owner and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Simeon Uche, 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.K.J. Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 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 till 28th October, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.