A female member of a congregation, Kemi Abbas, on Wednesday appeared in an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court in Lagos charged with allegedly stealing her pastor’s N52,000.
Abbas, 26, who resides at No. 216, Railway Line, Ilupeju, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Mr Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept.30 at St. Christopher Spiritual Church, C&S Ilupeju, Lagos.
He said that the accused stole N52,000 belonging to her pastor, one Kolawole Oye.
“The pastor was attending to some members of his congregation during a counselling session when his phone rang.
“He could not hear the caller because of the noise of the generator set, so, went outside to receive the call.”
Olatunde said that when the complainant came back to his seat, he discovered that an envelope left on his table that contained N52,000 had disappeared.
“He quickly raised an alarm and threatened those he left in the office with death if the money was not immediately returned and confession made,” the prosecutor said.
Olatunde said that the accused fell on the ground and confessed that she saw the envelope but only took N5,000 and did not know who took the rest along with the envelope.
The offence, the prosecutor said, contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 stipulates three years imprisonment for anyone liable to theft.
The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, granted the accused bail in the sum of N25, 000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 30 for mention.
