A 21-year old man, Walidi Bashir, was on Friday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ court, over alleged theft of property valued N850,000, belonging to a church.
Bashir, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and burglary, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp John Iberedem, told the court that the defendant and some others now at large, committed the offences on June 8, at Chapel of Christ Delight Church, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Iberedem said that the defendant broke into the church premises and stole six plastic chairs, three tyres, a wheel barrow, two air conditioners and iron rod, all valued at N850,000.
The prosecutor also said that the defendant, a worker in the church, conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 311 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
Truthng reports that Section 287(7) prescribes seven years imprisonment for servants stealing from their masters.
Truthng further reports that Section 311 prescribes a seven-year imprisonment for anyone found guilty of breaking and entering into a place of worship.
The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed, and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
Kubeinje adjourned the case until Aug. 7 for hearing.
