A 46-year-old Pastor Joseph Lawson appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday in Lagos for allegedly stealing a car valued at N1.2 million.
Police prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, said accused committed the offence on October 1 in Oko-Oba, Lagos.
He said that the accused ran away with a car belonging to Chikwukadibia Udeh.
“The complainant approached the accused for prayers, the accused told him that God told him that he should bring his car and the document for prayers.
“The complainant obeyed and after the accused collected the car and its document, he was nowhere to be found.
“Efforts made by the complainant to recover his car proved unsuccessful and the case was reported to the police,” Ogu said.
The prosecutor added that when the accused was later arrested, he claimed to have sold the vehicle.
The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which carries three years jail term for stealing.
Lawson, who resides in Surulere, Lagos, however, entered a “not guilty” plea to the charge levelled against him.
Magistrate J.A Adegun granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties as part of the bail condition.
Mr Adegun said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned until October 29 for hearing.
