A 28-year-old man, Fatai Amusa, on Thursday appeared in an Abeokuta Magistrates’ court for allegedly breaking into churches and stealing property valued N1.4million.

The defendant, who resides at Isoka Street, Kugba, in Abeokuta, is facing an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and break-in.

The Prosecutor, Insp.Olu-Balogun Lawrence, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between January 18 and April 29, at Oke-Aregba and Kugba areas of Abeokuta.

Lawrence said that the defendant, with others now at large, broke into five different churches to steal.

He said the defendant broke into The Truth Evangelical Church, Oke-Aregba, where he stole one big Elemax generator and one sleeve engine, with a total value of N75,000.

Lawrence said that the defendant also went to C.A.C Sanctuary of Joy Church and stole one Yahama keyboard and one sleeve engine valued N185,000.

“He went to Grace Faith Apostolic Church Kugba, where he also stole one Yahama keyboard, one mixer sound system and one sleeve engine valued N205,000.

“The defendant thereafter went to God’s Power Global Mission Church, Car wash Adatan, and stole one sleeve amplifier engine valued at N400,000.

“He also went to The Rivers of Life Prophetic and Miracle Ministries, Lantoro where he stole keyboard, mixer sound system, one Laptop,one DVD player and sleeve amplifier engine all valued at N480,000” the prosecutor said.

He said that the defendant was arrested by the security guard in the community while trying to escape with the stolen property.

The offences, he said, contravened sections 390(9),412, 415, 516 of the Criminal Code Vol 1, Laws of Ogun 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mr Olakulehin Oke, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Oke said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must show evidence of tax payment to Ogun government.

He thereafter adjourned the case until May 21.(NAN)

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