CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 40-year-old man, Daniel Ifeanyi, has been arraigned before an Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos after a pastor alleged he collected N10 million for a church building project that was never executed. The case was filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet marked MUA/5/22/16, the alleged incident occurred sometime in 2024 at Bodunrin Caulcrick Estate, off Caterpillar, Ogba. The location falls within the Ikeja Magisterial District in Lagos State.
The complainant was identified as Victor Adetunji. Prosecutors alleged that the defendant collected N10,000,000 from him on the promise that the money would be used to construct a church hall, which would later be sold to him.
The first count stated that Daniel Ifeanyi fraudulently obtained the sum by a false representation. The prosecution told the court that the defendant knew the claim about building the church hall was false when he made it.
The offence, according to the charge sheet, is contrary to and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015. Section 314 deals with obtaining property by false pretence.
In Count II, the defendant was further accused of stealing the same N10,000,000, described as the property of Victor Adetunji. The prosecution alleged this occurred on the same date, time and place in Ogba.
The charge stated that the alleged theft is contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Both Sections provide penalties for stealing.
During arraignment, Daniel Ifeanyi pleaded not guilty to both counts of obtaining by false pretence and stealing. The plea was recorded by the court before proceedings continued.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the Magistrate for a date to enable the Police to present evidence and witnesses to prove the allegations against the defendant.
The Police officer listed on the charge sheet was CPL. Saka Olushola, attached to Area ‘G’ Command of the Nigeria Police Force. The officer was involved in the investigation of the matter.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million. The bail conditions included two sureties in like sum with proof of means of livelihood, tax payment, and addresses to be verified by the court.
The court ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, pending the perfection of bail conditions. The case was adjourned for mention to a later date. Under Nigerian law, all parties remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.