Oil Theft: Popular Clergy Defrauds Businessman Of N870,000

 A 70-year-old clergyman, Emmanuel Bello, on Monday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a businessman of N870,000.

The police charged Bello, who resides in Idimu, Lagos State, with three counts of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

The defendant and others at large committed the offence on March 2 at Council area of Idimu, Lagos State, the Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Mojirade Edeme, told the court.

She said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from Bilikisu Olabisi, with a promise to supply “spiritual oil" for the washing and cleaning of dollar notes.

“After the defendant collected the money, he absconded and all efforts to retrieve her money failed. The complainant reported the case and the defendant was eventually arrested,” the prosecutor said.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 287 prescribes three years’ jail term for stealing while section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.

Magistrate O.O Raji admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Raji said that the surety should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government(LASG).

The magistrate fixed a further hearing for Oct. 20.