KINGSLEY EBERE
A 22-year old man, Anike Samuel has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly burgling a church and carting away N52,000 from the offering box.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 17th March, 2026, at Tree of Life Church, Jakande Gate, Ejigbo Lagos.
Apart from that, he also allegedly stole the Church’s amplifier and 25 liters of petrol bought for church service.
According to the Police, the suspect broke into the church and carted away the items but was later caught.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ejigbo Division. He was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Anike Samuel ‘m’, on the 7th March, 2026, at about 2350hrs, at Tree of Life Church, Jakande Gate, Ejigbo Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did break and enter into the church and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 (2) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
Count II: “That you, Anike Samuel, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal church amplifier valued N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira), 25liters of petrol valued N25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Naira) and cash of N52,000 (Fifty Two Thousand Naira), property of one Tree of Life Church and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Mr. Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Miss F.R Ogunkoyede, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.