KINGSLEY EBERE
A cleric, Pastor Chukwu Ferdinand of the Glorious Mount of Possibility Church, has allegedly been swindled by a 24-year old church member, Kelvin Stanley, to the tune of N5m under the false pretence in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened from June, 2024 to 19th February, 2025, at the church located at Dada Street, Ojo, Lagos.
The suspect, Stanley, has been arrested and charged for obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
According to the Police, Stanley obtained the money from the church as represented by Pastor Ferdinand under the false pretence of purchasing fuel for the church for services severally and converted part of the money to his own use.
While the Pastor was giving him certain amount of money to purchase some litres of fuel, he would buy less and keep the remaining money to himself.
However, after several months, the Pastor later discovered what he was doing and handed him over to the Police at Ojo Division. He was detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Kelvin Stanley ‘M’ from the month of June, 2024 to 19th February, 2025 at Dada Street, Ojo, Lagos, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) severally from Glorious Mount of Possibility Church represented by one Pastor Chukwu Ferdinand ‘M’ with pretence to purchase fuel for the church, a presentation you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 (1) of the Crim Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT 2:”That you, Kelvin Stanley ‘M’ on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), property of Glorious Mount of Possibility Church represented by one Pastor Chukwu Ferdinand ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M. Ogun, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
