Lagos pastor arraigned for allegedly absconding with N1.2m car

A pastor has been arraigned in court for allegedly absconding with a car value at N1.2 million

-The accused identified as Joseph Lawson was said to have committed the offence on Monday, October 1

- According to the prosecutor, the car belongs to Chikwukadibia Udeh

A 46-year-old pastor identified as Joseph Lawson appeared before an Ikeja magistrates' court on Monday, October 15. He was charged with the theft of a car valued at N1.2 million.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Clifford Ogu, the accused committed the offence on Monday, October 1 at Oko-Oba area of Lagos, NAN reports.

NAIJ.com gathers that the prosecutor said that the accused ran away with a car belonging to one Chikwukadibia Udeh.

He said: “The complainant approached the accused for prayers, the accused told him that God told him that he should bring his car and the document for prayers.

“The complainant obeyed and after the accused collected the car and its document, he was no where to be found.

“Efforts made by the complainant to recover his car proved unsuccessful and the case was reported to the police."

Ogu said that when the accused was later arrested, he claimed to have sold the vehicle. The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The the section carries three years jail term for stealing.

The accused, who resides at Surulere, Lagos, entered a `not-guilty’ plea to the charge leveled against him.

The magistrate, JA Adegun, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties as part of the bail condition.

Adegun said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos state government. The case was adjourned until October 29, for hearing.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ogun state chapter, arrested the general overseer of the God’s Favour Ministry, Iba, Lagos state

Onwugbufor and Animashaun were arrested on February 1 after the police traced a stolen car to the pastor.