A security man with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Awobola Babatunde, who allegedly opened a bank account in the name of the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, was arraigned in Lagos on Monday.
The accused, 32, whose address is unknown, is facing a four-count charge of stealing, impersonation, conspiracy and opening an account in Adeboye’s name and attempting to cash a cheque of N600, 000.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Aighoi Gbemileke, the accused with others still at large committed the offences on June 6 at No. 1/9, Redemption Way, Ebute Meta, at 9.00 a.m.
He said the accused stole a Fidelity Bank cheque valued at N600, 000 belonging to the RCCG General Overseer.
“The accused falsely presented himself as Pastor Adeboye by opening a savings account at Aguda, Surulere branch of Fidelity Bank in his name.
“He opened the account in order to cash the cheque and convert the money to personal use.
“Babatunde also opened the account in order to be stealing money from the church as they plan to pay in more cheques,’’ Gbemileke alleged.
He said the offences violated Sections 285, 378, 404 and 408 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs B. Folarin-Williams, admitted the accused to a bail of N100, 000 in addition to two sureties in like sum.
The sureties, she said, must be blood relations of the accused and also produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to Aug. 4 for a mention.
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