The police on Wednesday brought six men before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly breaking into a church and stealing musical instruments worth N28 million.
The defendants are Kelechi Israel, 39; James Abichele, 28; Simon Abi, 25; Ifeanyi Mba, 40; John Odiong, 39; and Austin Bassey, 47.
They are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, breaking into place of worship to commit crime, stealing from a locked room and unlawful interference with property.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, alleged that the defendants committed the offences at 11.50p.m. on June 6, at Redeemed Evangelical Mission Church, Gbagada, Lagos.
According to Momah, the defendants damaged three German iron doors worth N1.5 million while breaking into the church to steal the instruments.
She said that the defendants stole all the musical instruments in the church and transported them away in a truck at night.
Momah submitted that some of the instruments had been recovered.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 411, 311, 340 and 287 (5) {f} of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).
The Sections 287 (5) {f} and 311 stipulate seven-year jail term each for breaking into place of worship and committing felony, and stealing from a locked room.
Section 340 provides for three years’ imprisonment for unlawful interference with property, while conspiracy attracts a two-year jail term under Section 411 of the law.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adedayo, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of six million Naira each with two sureties in like sum.
She held that the sureties must submit their National Identification Numbers and their Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards.
She directed that all sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, be gainfully employed and provide evidence of three years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.
Adedayo adjourned the case until Aug. 2 for mention.
Also, a hotel manager, Mr Emmanuel Idoga, on Wednesday dragged the management of the Lobi Stars FC before a Makurdi Upper Area Court over alleged hotel debt of N516, 000.
Idoga, Manager of ‘Dozat Jen Villa” Makurdi, who was represented by his lawyer, Mr Unongo Unongo averred that all efforts to recover the money, failed.
Unongo averred that his client was the manager and operator of Dozat Jen Villa Makurdi a hotel outfit where the defendant lodged and refused to pay.
He said the players lodged into the hotel from March 16 and March 17, 2020.
The counsel further said that three players of the team also spent two months in the hotel without making any payment.
He further averred that he wrote series of letters to the defendant,.
”My client sent the first letter on June 29, 2021 but there was no response.,” he said.
Unongo also said that during hearing, he will relying on the letter dated the June 29, 2021 which was served on the defendant.
He urged the court to order the defendant to pay the N516, 000,.
He also prayed for N1million as general damages, N50, 000 as filing fee and any orders the court may deem fit.
The council alleged that the defendant was evading service and applied for a substituted service on the defendant.
The Magistrate’s, Mrs Dooshima Ikpambese in her ruling, ordered for substituted service on the defendant.
“The records of the court reveal that attempts at personal service on the defendant on June 14 and June 15, failed.
”Consequently, an order of substituted service is here by granted.
“The defendant shall be served by pasting the orders of the court, writ of summons, hearing notices, and all other subsequent processes of this court at the entrance of the Mc Carty Stadium Wadata, Makurdi and Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi and entrance door of Upper 2, Makurdi,” she said.
Ikpambese further adjourned the case until 11 for further mention.
