Pastor Allegedly Defraud Woman Of N1 Million

A Pastor identified as John Apeh, was brought before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for allegedly defrauding a woman of N1 million.

The 40-year-old cleryman, who stays at Ipaja, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to two counts of stealing and obtaining money under false pretenses.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, stated that the pastor committed the offence on March 28, at Anifowose, Ikeja, Lagos.

He claimed that he unlawfully obtained #1 million from one Funke Tola with a plan to use it to pay off her debt.

Ayorinde said that the complainant had some “money issues” with her business partner and was arrested.

He said that the complainant wrote an undertaken to pay part of the money to her business partner.

“The complainant was sick the day she was to pay the first payment.”

“She transferred the money on agreement to the defendant, who is her friend and pastor, to help her deliver it to her business partner at the station.”

“After the defendant received the bank alert, he disappeared and all efforts made to retrieve the money failed,”.

The Prosecutor revealed that the pastor was apprehended and handed over to the police.

He stated that the offence, contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate B.O Osunsanmi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osinsanmi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until July 3, for mention.