Man, 41, Arraigned For Burgling Catholic Church & Carting Away N1.6m Altar Cloths

A 41-year old man, John Nwabueze, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly burgling SS Peter And Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa, Ipaja and carting away altar cloths worth N1.6m.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 24th November, 2025, at the church located at 10 First Avenue, Peace Estate, Ipaja.

According to the Police, the suspect went to the church with different keys, forced himself into the church auditorium, stole the items and escaped.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ipaja Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over the alleged crime.

After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, John Nwabueze, on the 24th day of November, 2025, at about 1100hrs at No 10 First Avenue, Peace Estate, Ipaja Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did use different keys to open the doors of SS Peter And Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa Ipaja and maliciously damaged the doors valued N150,000.00 (One Hundred And Fifty Thousand Naira Only) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 350 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II:”That you, John Nwabueze, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by using a bunch of keys trying the door of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa Ipaja, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168 (1) (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT III:”That you, John Nwabueze, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did break into SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa, Ipaja Lagos and stole some altar cloths value N1.600,000 (One Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira Only), property of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa Ipaja and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 311 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT IV:”That you, John Nwabueze, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal altar cloths valued N 1.600,000 (One Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira Only), property of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa, Ipaja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

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. F.R. Ogunkoyede, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 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 for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.

Igbo Youth Leader, Hon. Jude Onyeabor Commends Senator Mbata For Resolving Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo Crisis

KINGSLEY EBERE

The National President of Igbo Youths Awake For Sustainable Development (IYASDI), Hon. Jude Chukwuka Onyeabor, has commended the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Mbata, for resolving the Ohanaeze Presidency crisis by recognizing Chief Solomon Aguene as the president in line with the Court judgment.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Onyeabor stated this on the heels of declaration by Senator Mbata recognizing Chief Aguene during the Dinner Party organized by Igbo lawyers held in Lagos State.

Senator Mbata reiterated that by the judgment of the Lagos State High Court,  that Chief Aguene is the authentic president and has directed him to Inaugurate electoral committee and conduct election to hand over to the next executives in 2026.

Hon. Onyeabor stated that the declaration has resolved the issue of leadership and peace has returned to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State.

The Youth Leader warned Ndigbo to beware of a group of people masquerading