17th February, 2018
Paul Iyoghojie
The trial of Prophet Oyemande Gbenga in charge of the Most High Ministry located at Dele Jagun Street, Igbo Elerin area 0f Okokomaiko, Lagos for allegedly obtaining the sum of N11m from a member of his church, Paul Kareem under false pretext has commenced at the Igbosere Magistrate Court 1 presided over by Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku.
Gbenga, 59, was arrested on the order of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 2 Command,Lagos Island,Adamu Ibrahim following a petition by Paul Kareem,a member of the Most High Ministry.
And after investigation by Inspector Babatunde Shobowale and his team, Gbenga was charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a two-count charge of felony to wit obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
Police counsel, Chinedu Njoku had informed the court that the accused committed the alleged offence at his Church between 2009 and 2010 at Dele Jagun Street, Igbo Eleri, Okokomaiko, Lagos.
Njoku told the court that the accused reported to the Police that the defendant, his pastor collected the sum of N11m from him to help him buy a land and also assist him to build a one-storey building on the land.
He said that the complainant stated that he gave the money to his pastor because of the trust he had for him but that he was shocked that after one year, he failed to provide the land and the one story building for him till date..
Njoku stated that the complainant said that he decided to report the matter to the police when all his efforts to recover his money from his pastor proved futile.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and Chief Magistrate Botoku admitted him on bail in the sum of N1m with two surties in like sum.
Botoku adjourned the case till 12 March, 2018 for the continuation of trial.