A 37-year-old man, Nwafor Onyebuchi, has been arraigned at the Magistrate’s Court in Lagos state on charges of conspiracy, stealing, and breaching of public peace for allegedly stealing N21 million from a Catholic church.
According to the Lagos state police, the suspect was charged to court on Tuesday after being arrested for the alleged offence.
News About Nigeria gathered that the Police prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, narrated the incident in court, stating that the defendant committed the offence on December 21, 2022, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba, in the Ojo area of the state.
Adeosun claimed that Onyebuchi took money that was meant for the development of the church and converted it to his personal use, resulting in the charges of stealing and breaching of public peace.
The prosecutor further stated that the defendant’s actions contravened Sections 287, 168, and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
However, the defendant, Nwafor Onyebuchi, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In her ruling, 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, and both sureties should provide evidence of three years of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings until June 5, 2023.
The alleged theft of N21 million from a Catholic church has raised concerns among the local community and the church members.
The case will be closely monitored as it progresses through the legal system, and the defendant will have the opportunity to present his defense against the charges.
