Nigeria: Pastor in Court for Duping Congregation

Source: Vanguard Lagos State A 37-year-old pastor, Kolawole Olugbenga, on Friday appeared before an Ikorodu Magistrates' Court in Lagos, charged with defrauding a member of his congregation of N214,000. Olugbenga, who lives at No. 19, Arowoshola St., Imota area of Ikorodu, is facing a charge of fraud. The prosecutor, Sgt. Iyabo Johnson, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in 2011. According to him, the pastor obtained the amount from a businesswoman, Mrs Mosunmola Fashola, on the pretext of praying over it. She explained that the amount was to be her initial capital with which the complainant intended to use to start a small business. The prosecutor said that after collecting the money, the pastor converted it to his personal use and had since not refunded it. Johnson said that the offences committed contravened Sections 312, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 312 provides a penalty of 15 years imprisonment for fraud. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mr B.A. Sonuga, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with one surety in like sum. Sonuga adjourned the case to Sept. 5 for trial. NAN