The pastor of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ikorudu has been arrested by the police in Owutu Division for allegedly stealing a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
The suspect, whose name was given as Eli Waku, 24, was said to have gone to a church in Mowokekere area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, South-West Nigeria for a vigil. During the service, he was said to have stolen the motorcycle.
Mr. Henry Okonye, the owner of the motorcycle reported the case to the police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Owutu immediately dispatched his anti-robbery team to search the whole area. During the search, the police got a tip-off that Eli Waku was seen with the okada around Agbede area in Ikorodu.
The information led the police to Agbede area where the suspect was arrested with the motorcycle.
During interrogation, he said the motorcycle belonged to his friend and that he wanted to use it to borrow some money. But when the owner/complainant showed up, the pastor admitted that he stole the okada.
When Crime Watch visited the police station,the DPO, Mr. Monday Akpan, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), declined to comment on the arrest.
The suspect has been charged to the magistrate’s court for stealing and he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties and when he couldn’t meet the bail conditions, he was also ordered to be remanded in prison custody till 23 September, 2010 when the matter will come up again.
—Yusuf Mohammed
