Lagos police arraign man for breaking into rich RCCG church in search of expensive musical equipment

POLICE in Lagos State have arraigned a 31-year old man in court for allegedly breaking into a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ikorodu and stealing musical instruments worth N423,000.

By far the richest church group in Nigeria, the RCCG has branches all over the country, with many of them possessing live bands that play melodious gospel music. Due its wealth, these RCCG branches sometimes have high tech musical equipment such as electronic guitars, organs, expensive drum sets and saxophones.

It is thus not uncommon for them to become targets for thieves and earlier this week, Ebuka Nwafor was arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge. Prosecutor, Sergeant Mary Ajiteru, told the court that the defendant conspired with others still at large and broke into the parish on Arihudom Street, Owode-Ajegunle, Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.

She said that the defendant and his accomplices broke into the church on November 11, at 3am and stole the musical instruments. Sergeant Ajiteru added that the defendant stole a sound mixer, a piano, an LG plasma television set, two amplifiers, four wire microphones and one wireless microphone, which had a combined value of N423,000.

According to the police,  the pastor presiding over the church was in his office when the suspected thieves entered the premises and he reported that he heard noises. Sergeant Ajiteru said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 311, 411 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

She added: “When the pastor came to check what was happening, the intruders had broken in and the defendant were seen trying to cart away the plasma TV. One was caught while the others escaped.”

Magistrate, Mr OM Dawodu, granted the defendant N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum. He then adjourned the case until December 19 for mention.