Pastor ‘defrauds’ woman of N1m in Lagos

Court

Police have arraigned a 40-year-old pastor, John Apeh, in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a woman of N1 million.

Mr Apeh is a resident of Ipaja, Lagos State.

Police prosecutor, Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 28 at Anifowose, Ikeja.

Mr Ayorinde said the defendant unlawfully obtained N1million from Funke Tola on the pretext of using the money to help her offset her debt.

“The complainant was sick the day she was to pay the first payment. She transferred the money on agreement to the defendant, who is her friend and pastor, to help her deliver it to her business partner at the station.

“After the defendant received the bank alert, he disappeared and all efforts made to retrieve the money failed,” Ayorinde said.

He added that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate B.O Osunsanmi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osinsanmi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until July 3 for mention.