A man who is fond of stealing from a church in Abuja was on Wednesday arraigned before an Abuja Grade 1 Area Court sitting at Gwagwalada.
The accused, Joseph Shagari (file image) was arrested on December 11 after he was allegedly caught on the roof of Assembly of God Church in Karmo while attempting to remove the church’s zinc.
The police in the area also accused the 29-year-old man of severally stealing from the church.
Shagari who resides at Unguwar Rogo in Karmo, was arraigned along with two other persons named Tasiu Dogara, 27, and Danyaro Muhammed, 42, accused of buying the stolen items from him.
Police prosecutor, Sani Idris from Karmo division, told the court that a statement made by one of the church leaders at the station on December 11, said the accused was caught on the same day on top of the Assembly of God Church in Karmo, removing the zinc of the church.
According to the prosecutor, the accused, after he was caught, confessed to have stolen other items from the church which he claimed to have sold to the two other accused persons.
He listed the stolen items as 12 plastic chairs, two power generating sets, one amplifier, two speakers, one bell, and a bucket, all valued at N150,000.
The prosecutor said the actions of the accused persons contradict sections 287 and 319 of the Penal Code.
When the charges were read to them, they both pleaded not guilty and sought for bail.
Judge Muhammad Sulyman Ola granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N100,000 with a reliable surety, who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned till January 27, 2015 for hearing.
