Two men, Aliu Daniel and Joseph Patrick, were on Wednesday arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of church properties valued at N4 million.
Daniel, 27, of Ogunleti Street, Ojota; and Patrick, 34, of Alhaji Amoo Street, Ojota, both in Lagos, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendants and others now at large allegedly committed the offences between March 8 and March 9 at Ogudu Road, Ojota.
Bassey said that the defendants broke into the church premises and carted away three generators valued at N1.5 million, a mixer valued at N500,000, an amplifier valued at N500,000 and two industrial fans valued at N150,000.
“They also stole a split-unit air conditioner valued at N700,000, microphones valued at N500,000 and iron rods of unknown value, totaling N4,000,000,” Bassey said.
He said all the stolen properties belonged to Victory Christian Mission.
The prosecutor said the defendants who were workers in the church, conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.
He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287(7) provides seven years imprisonment for workers stealing from their employer.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.O Daodu, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
Daodu adjourned the case until May 29 for hearing. (NAN)
