A 19-year-old student, Miracle Okiugbo, who allegedly stole her pastor’s N665, 000, was on Thursday in Lagos granted N300, 000 bail. An Ojo Magistrates’ Court in its ruling also ordered the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail conditions.
Chief Magistrate Titus Abolarinwa said the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The accused, who resides in Ojo area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretences.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Uche Simon, had told the court that the accused committed the offences with two other still at large on July 6 in Okokomaiko area of Lagos State. He said the accused stole the pastor’s signed cheque, went to his bank to withdraw N665,000 and shared it with her accomplices.
“The pastor was shocked when he received an alert that he had withdrawn N665, 000 from his account. “He quickly rushed to the bank where he watched the footage of its CCTV leading to identifying and the subsequent arrest of the accused,’’ he said.
The offences contravened Sections 285,312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 312 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under false pretences while Section 285 stipulates a three-year imprisonment for stealing.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The magistrate adjourned the case to Oct. 18 for mention.
