Holy Crime: Acclaimed Bishop Arraigned in Lagos Over Alleged Multi-million Naira Fraud

A self-acclaimed bishop of Mercy Tabernacle Church in the Ogba area of Lagos, has been arraigned for trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos State on Friday admitted a self-acclaimed bishop, Bankole Jefferson, to a N1.5 million bail, after being charged with N9 million fraud.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, ruled that the accused must produce two sureties, who must show evidence of payment of three years tax to the Lagos State Government.

Jefferson, 54, bishop of Mercy Tabernacle Church, Ogba, Lagos, is standing trial on a three -count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Peter Nwangwu told the court that Jefferson committed the offences sometime in January in Ogba, Lagos.

Nwangwu said the accused obtained the money from the complainant, Mr Akinyemi Adebayo on the pretext of supplying diesel.

According to him, the accused committed the offences by conspiring with others still at large.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 provides a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years for conspiracy.

The accused, however, entered a not ` guilty plea' and his lawyer applied for bail on liberal terms.

The case was adjourned until Nov. 20.