Crimes

Pastor arraigned for defrauding woman N1.1m

A 40-year-old pastor, David Ihejirika, has been arraigned before the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ojo, Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding a woman of N1.1 million.

Ihejirika, who was arraigned before the court on Friday, May 12, was charged with obtaining money by false pretence, causing a breach of peace and theft.

He, however, pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Dr Simon Uche, told the court that the pastor committed the offence at a place known as ‘The Stripe of Jesus Christ Church’ in Ajangbadi, Ojo area of Lagos in 2021.

Uche told the court that the defendant obtained N1.1 million from a complainant, Chinwe Nwafor, with a promise to perform “spiritual work” for her, to make her husband return back to her.

He said the representation was false as the pastor allegedly stole the money and didn’t execute his promise.

The prosecutor, however, said Ihejirika conducted himself in a manner likely to breach public peace by his action, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 168, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Magistrate L.K.J Layeni admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Layeni, therefore, adjourned the case to June 7, 2023, for trial.

The Star