Man, 25, docked for allegedly stealing in churches

A 25-year-old man, Ayomide Ibrahim, was on Tuesday, brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, for breaking into three churches and allegedly stole items worth N2 million.

Ibrahim, whose address was not provided, was charged for burglary, theft, and conspiracy.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp. A. Daniel, told the court that the defendant and others still at large, committed the offence on Oct. 19, 2023, at night at Onibukun, Ota.

Daniel alleged that the defendant and his accomplices broke into a Redeemed Christian Church of God and stole one mixer and one amplifier both valued of N500, 000.

The prosecutor also claimed that the defendant broke into Bread of Life Church and stole one mixer 16 valued N850,000, one public address system valued N700, 000 and two totaling N920,000.

Daniel further alleged that the defendant and his accomplices equally entered one Apostolic Church and stole one mixer 16 valued at N300,000 and one engine amplifier worth N280,000, totaling N580,000.

The police prosecutor stated that the offence committed by the defendant contravened Sections 390(9), 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The trial Magistrate, A. A. Akiode, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the matter to Feb. 22 for hearing.

Akiode stated that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Ogun government.