Pastor charged for allegedly duping church member

A 37-year-old pastor, Kolawole
Olugbenga, on Friday appeared before an
Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos,
charged with defrauding a member of his
congregation of N214, 000.
Mr. Olugbenga, who lives at No. 19,
Arowoshola St., Imota area of Ikorodu, is
facing a charge of fraud.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Iyabo Johnson,
told the court that the accused committed
the offence sometime in 2011.
According to her, the pastor obtained the
amount from a businesswoman,
Mosunmola Fashola, on the pretext of
praying over it. She explained that the
amount was to be her initial capital with
which the complainant intended to use to
start a small business.
The prosecutor said that after collecting
the money, the pastor converted it to his
personal use and had since not refunded
it.
Ms. Johnson said that the offences
committed contravened Sections 312, of
the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 312 provides a penalty of 15
years imprisonment for fraud.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty
to the charges.
The Magistrate, B.A. Sonuga, granted the
accused bail in the sum of N100, 000,
with one surety in like sum.
Mr. Sonuga adjourned the case to
September 5 for trial.