3 guards, 1 other accused of stealing offering

Three security guards were on Tuesday brought before an Ogudu magistrates’ court, Lagos, over allegedly stealing N250,000 and 50 litres of diesel valued at N50,000 from a Catholic church. The defendants, Victor Odeh (22), Jeremiah Negedu (32), Ubi Mbeh (40) and Idris Olatunji (44), were standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and […]

Three security guards were on Tuesday brought before an Ogudu magistrates’ court, Lagos, over allegedly stealing N250,000 and 50 litres of diesel valued at N50,000 from a Catholic church.

The defendants, Victor Odeh (22), Jeremiah Negedu (32), Ubi Mbeh (40) and Idris Olatunji (44), were standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and theft.

The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendants, on July 1, at about 1am at the St Agnes’ Catholic Church, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos entered the church premises and stole N250,000 from the offering box and 50 litres of diesel worth N50,000.

He said, “The first three defendants, who are security men of the church, connived with the last defendant, to come into the premises to steal.

“Olatunji pretended he was bringing in a sick patient to the church’s hospital, and with the help of the others, gained entrance into the chapel with their own key.

“Then they opened the offering box to take the money. They also took 50 litres of diesel.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs M O Tanimola, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each and adjourned the case to July 16. (NAN)