MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 37-year old man, Nwafor Onyebuchi, has been arrested in Lagos for allegedly swindling Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba, Ojo area of Lagos to the tune of N21m meant for a building project.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Onyebuchi, has been charged before a Badagry Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on a three-count charge of stealing, breach of public peace and conspiracy.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, told the Court that the defendant, Onyebuchi, committed the offences on 21st December, 2022, at the church and escaped.
According to the Police, the defendant allegedly stole the money meant for the development of the Church and converted the money to his personal use thereby conducting himself in a manner likely to breach the peace by stealing from the Church.
He was said to have convinced the Parish Priest and the Parish Council that he will execute the project with certain amount of money and was paid the amount in question.
However, having received the money from the Church, he bolted away and converted the money to his own personal use.
He was later arrested for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The prosecutor told the Court that the alleged offences contravened Sections 287, 168 and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T. A Popoola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and addresses verified.
Popoola also directed that one of the sureties must be related to the defendant, while both sureties should show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State Government.
The matter was adjourned till 5th June, 2023, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.