I’m under a spell…Man who stole N600,115 church offering in Ekiti
A middle-aged man, Akindele Opeyemi Olufemi, from Iropora Ekiti, who stole a church offering, amounting to over six hundred thousand at Ikeji Arakeji area of Osun state, has sought the wrath of God on those he claimed were behind his travail.
Speaking while being paraded, in Ado, by the police for stealing, the man (names withheld) claimed that he was under a spell to have committed the offense.
He explained that he reported himself to the police at a checkpoint before being brought to Ado Ekiti.
“I had passed the police checkpoint after identifying myself as a security personnel, but my conscience would not allow me rest, reason why I had to report myself to the police.”
But Ekiti Police command said Mr Olufemi was arrested at a “Stop and Search Point” of the Safer Highways of the Command.
He was on a Motorcycle and had a bag on him. He initially rebuffed all attempts to Search his bag but was later overpowered by the Police.
After a thorough search, different Denomination of Nigerian Currency was found in his possession.
He could not give a clear explanation as to how the Money came about, but after further interrogation, it was discovered that the Suspect stole the money from the Christ Apostolic Church, Camp Ground in Ikeji, Ara-Ikeji, Osun State, and was intercepted by the Men of the Ekiti state Police Command on his way to the State.
He confessed to the commission of the crime, as he said he served in the Church for Two years as a Security guard and resigned earlier this year, so he went back to the Camp Ground in the guise of a “Personal all night Prayer” and made way to the Church offering Vault and carted away the Money.
The Money when counted was Six hundred Thousand, One hundred and Fifteen naira (600,115 Naira)
He will be charged to court, alongside other criminals who were apprehended by the State Police Command.
Earlier the Ekiti State Police Public Relations officer, Sunday Abutu, had paraded the suspects alongside nineteen others for different crimes, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, attempted murder, burglary and conspiracy.
Abutu explained that the suspects, who were arrested at different locations, were among those terrorizing Ikere and other areas of the State.
The PPRO added that the arrests were made possible through the efforts of men of the Command and credible intelligence from members of the public.
He said the suspects would be charged to court after completion of necessary investigations and arrest of fleeing ones.
Items recovered from the suspects included two big power-generating sets, shoes, clothes and money.