Robbers have burgled Ebenezer Cathedral Church located at Campbell Street, Lagos Island, while the security men attached to the Church were allegedly sleeping, carted away property worth N12m and escaped.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the robbers scaled the Church’s fence at about 4am to gain access into the church to steal an X32 mixer and Yamaha piano 2100 keyboard, all valued the said amount.
The incident was reported to the Police at the Lion Building Division, Lagos Island. The operatives moved into action and arrested two suspects, Falade Faruq, 22, and Tunde Mustapha, 20, while others were said to be at large.
The suspects were subsequently charged before the Igbosere Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy and stealing.
According to Police sources, nemesis caught up with the robbers when a resident in the area sighted them loading the stolen properties into a waiting seven-passenger bus popularly called Korope and raised alarm.
The robbers and two others including the driver of the bus took to their heels, but concerned residents pursued them, apprehended one of them and dragged him to the nearby Lion Building Division for interrogation.
During investigation, Faruq allegedly confessed to the crime and led the Police to arrest Mustapha in his hideout.
The Police found them culpable after rounds of interrogation and then charged them before the Igbosere Magistrate Court sitting on Lagos Island for conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
The prosecutor, Reuben Solomon, told the Court that the alleged offences were punishable under Sections 411, 311 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants however, pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, O. S. Abioye, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded
at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.