The police in Lagos on Tuesday arraigned a 37-year-old man, Nwafor Onyebuchi, before a magistrates’ court in Badagry for allegedly stealing N21 million from a Catholic church.
Mr Onyebuchi is facing a three-count charge of stealing, breach of public peace and conspiracy.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on December 21, 2022, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba, in the Ojo area of Lagos.
Mr Adeosun said the defendant allegedly stole the money meant for the church development.
He said the defendant converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor said the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to breach the peace by stealing from the church.
He said the offences contravened sections 287, 168 and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The magistrate, T. A Popoola, granted the defendant a N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Mr 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 the Lagos State government.
He adjourned the case until June 5 for mention.
