Septuagenarian in court over alleged theft of N2.7m from church
The police in Lagos on Tuesday arraigned a 71-year-old man, Babatunde Bamidele, over alleged theft of N2.7 million from a church.
Bamidele appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court along with 42-year-old, Orji Powell, with whom he allegedly conspired to steal the sum from the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
The septuagenarian resides at 35, Kujuore Street, Ojota, Lagos, while Powell lives at 20, Ajukwu Street, Bariga, also in Lagos.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Barth Nwaokoye, the duo and others, still at large, committed the offence on April 18 in Ikeja.
Nwaokoye said that they obtained the sum under the pretext of leasing a property to the church.
The prosecutor told the court that the accused did not lease the property situated at 31/37 Toyin Street, Ikeja.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, A.A. Demi-Ajayi, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Demi-Ajayi adjourned the case to July 22 for mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accused are liable to 15 years imprisonment each, if found guilty.
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