CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Three men have been arraigned before the Surulere Magistrate Court in Lagos State for allegedly burgling a church and stealing musical equipment valued at Nine Million Naira.
The defendants were identified as Jeremiah Kor, Oluwatosin Fapohunda, and Afuye Olayinka. They were arraigned before Court 4 of the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, Lagos Magisterial District, holden at Surulere.
The case, with Charge No. 81/2026, was filed by the Commissioner of Police. The prosecution is being led by ASP Jimoh Iseghele, who is the prosecutor in the matter, while the Investigating Police Officer is ASP Nasiru Muazu of Bode Thomas Police Division.
According to the charge sheet filed on 12th August, 2026, by the prosecutor, ASP Jimoh Iseghele, the alleged incident occurred on 10th August, 2026, at about 1:13 a.m. at Dominion City Church, Surulere Province.
The defendants, alongside others who are currently at large, are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
Count one of the charge as presented by prosecutor ASP Jimoh Iseghele alleged that the defendants and others now at large conspired to commit a felony, to wit, stealing. The prosecution stated that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count two alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendants stole one Beringer Digital Mixer valued at Nine Million Naira (N9,000,000.00), property of Dominion City Church, Surulere. The offence was said to be contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) (b) and (2) (a) and punishable under Section 287 (5) (7) (9) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
When the charges were read to them in court by the prosecutor, ASP Jimoh Iseghele, all three defendants pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Following their plea, the presiding Magistrate, Mr. G.O. Tiamiyu, granted each defendant bail in the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) with one surety each in like sum.
The court ordered that the bail conditions must be duly verified by the court registrar before the defendants can perfect their bail conditions.
The Magistrate further ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody at the correctional facility at Kirikiri Town pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned for trial. At the trial, the prosecutor, ASP Jimoh Iseghele, is expected to call witnesses and tender evidence to support the allegations. The defendants were represented by counsel, M. Nwoyewoye, who held brief for the defence at the arraignment proceedings.
Under the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, conspiracy and stealing attract prescribed penalties upon conviction. Section 411 provides for punishment for conspiracy to commit a felony, while Section 287 provides for punishment for stealing, with the severity depending on the value of the property and circumstances of the theft.
It is important to note that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.