Man in court for stealing N21m from Catholic church

The police on Tuesday, April 18, arraigned a 37-year-old man, Nwafor Onyebuchi, before a Badagry Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N21 million from a Catholic Church.

Onyebuchi is facing a three-count charge of stealing, breach of public peace and conspiracy.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec.21, 2022 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba in Ojo area of Lagos.

Adeosun said the defendant allegedly stole the money meant for development of the Church and converted it to his personal use.

Adeosun said that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to breach the peace by stealing from the Church.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 168 and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, T. A Popoola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Popoola ordered that one of the sureties must be related to the defendant, while both sureties should show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State Government.

He adjourned the case until June 5, 2023, for mention.