Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Theft Of N10million Jewellery

The Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, granted Ndukwe bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.

A 23-year-old, self-acclaimed pastor, Nkechinyere Ndukwe, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing jewellery valued at N10 million.

Ndukwe is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.
When the charge was read out to the accused, she entered a plea of not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, granted Ndukwe bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.

The magistrate ordered that one of the sureties must possess land property within the court’s jurisdiction.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Cousin Adams had told the court that the accused and others now at large committed the offence on March 9, at GRA, Ikeja.

He further told the court that Ndukwe had asked the complainant, Ifeoma Isiuwa, to bring all her jewelry valued at N10million for her to commence prayers on behalf of Isiuwa.

“When the complainant asked that her jewelry be returned to her, the accused was unable to produce them,” he said.

The prosecutor said that rather than return the jewellery to Ndukwe, the accused told her that she had converted them into her own personal use.

Adams said that the offences against the accused contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes three year jail term while 409 states two years for offenders.

The court has adjourned the case till Oct. 17, for mention.