MICHAEL AKINOLA
A clergyman, Pastor Daniel, who claimed to have had divine revelations to get space for his ministry, had a nasty experience after he paid over #.35m to a supposed land owner in Lagos State for the space to build a church but it turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the supposed land owner, Akindele Oyelakun, obtained the money through one Anthony Shokoya after he showed them a space to build the church at Fadu Avenue, Ejigbo area of Lagos.
However, after the money was paid to him, he bolted away. And when Pastor Daniel went there to start building the church, the real owner of the land surfaced and chased him away. It was then Pastor Daniel realized that he had been duped and the vision to build the church has been temporarily truncated.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ejigbo Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station hoping to refund the money to no avail.
He was subsequently charged before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
However, he pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, 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. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned till 10th January, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.