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Tag: pastor

  • Pastor gets N.2m bail for alleged N1.5m fraud

    A 30-year-old pastor of a Pentecostal church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, M.I. Akpan, was yesterday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Isokari Andrew-Jaja of a magistrates’ court in Port Harcourt for allegedly defrauding his victim, Mrs. Oluchi David, of N1.5 million.

    The incident reportedly occurred on December 8, 2016 at Area Command, Port Harcourt.

    He allegedly gave false information to a police inspector on October 6, 2017 that Mrs. David had summoned him before a shrine over undisclosed reason.

    The cleric pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail at N200,000. He was asked to produce one surety who must be a manager with a reputable company and resident in Port Harcourt.

    Police prosecutor Wilson Isaiah told the court that the suspect committed the offences between December 2016 and October 2017 and that they contravened Section 125(A) (1) (a) and Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume II Laws of Rivers State Nigeria 1999.

    Andrew-Jaja adjourned the case till October 31 for hearing.

  • Mother contracts HIV after alleged bite by pastor

    Mother contracts HIV after alleged bite by pastor

    A 23-year-old pastor of a Pentecostal church  in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Kingsley Ihunda, has been arraigned by a chief magistrates’ court for allegedly biting an expectant mother, Ejiro Abua (not real name), on the waist during deliverance and infecting her with HIV.

    The incident allegedly occurred at Ada-George, Diobu in Port Harcourt Local Government, on July 27.

    Mrs. Abua, a mother of one, who had reportedly lost two pregnancies, was allegedly directed to the pastor by Treasure Victor, 40, a female herbalist, for special prayers.

    As with previous ones, she was said to be having problems with the pregnancy.

    The complainant alleged that besides losing the pregnancy, she was allegedly infected with HIV, following the “holy bite.”

    She told the court at the weekend that she consulted the herbalist for assistance to stop the hotness of her womb, which she suspected to be the cause of her miscarriages, but instead of helping her, she directed her to Pastor Ihunda, who she said worked with her.

    The complainant said the pastor allegedly asked her to pay N1,500 for olive oil for prayer.

    She went on: “When I objected to paying the money, he told me that if I refused to pay, my husband and child would die. The woman (herbalist), supported him and encouraged me to pay the money. She said she had brought other expectant mothers, who had the same problem, to the pastor, and after payment and prayers, their problems were solved.

    “When I heard this, I decided to pay and come for prayers. During prayers, he asked me to raise my clothes, I refused, but the herbalist encouraged me to comply. He rubbed oil on my waist, bit me, sucked my blood and spat it out, claiming that was the cause of my problem and it had been solved.”

    The woman alleged that a few months later, she tested positive for HIV, but her husband tested negative, adding that it was discovered the pastor infected her.

    The pastor and herbalist were charged with conspiracy, assault and pretence.

    The prosecutor, Jonas Rufus, told the court that the crime was committed on July 27 at Ada George, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

    He said the offences breached sections 516(A), 351, 335 and 343(g) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume II Laws of Rivers State Nigeria 1999.

    The accused pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail.

    The matter was adjourned till last Friday for hearing.

    At the sitting, the victim opened her case and told the court her side of the story.

    The matter was adjourned till today for further hearing.

  • Pastor accused of killing woman, 60, in Ondo

    A Pastor at Ode-Irele in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Elijah Taiwo, has been accused of killing a 60-year-old member of his church, Mrs. Ajisomo Lawson.

    Taiwo, who is the founder of CAC Oke Oluwa Sekun Mi Derin, allegedly killed the woman for ritual reasons.

    Mrs Lawson’s body parts were allegedly removed after her death.

    It was gathered that Taiwo invited the woman at the weekend – from Liseri village, via Ode Irele, where she lived, for a spiritual programme.

    The Nation also learnt the pastor arranged for a motorcycle to take her back to her village after the spiritual programme, but she did not get home.

    Sources said Mrs Lawson’s family became curious when she did not return home from the pastor.

    The development reportedly prompted them to raise a search team, which found her body in a bush inside a palm plantation on Irele-Ore Road.

    A source said the deceased’s private part, breasts and eyes were removed by her suspected killers.

    The family’s efforts to know her whereabouts from the pastor were unsuccessful.

    Taiwo was said to have fled the town when the death occurred.

    One of the children of the deceased, Seyifunmi, recalled that her mother was invited to Irele by Pastor Elijah for a revival, initially scheduled to hold on Friday but cancelled.

    She said: “Mama told pastor of her interest to return to her village since she was not prepared enough to stay longer than necessary at Ode Irele. The pastor promised to arrange an Okada (commercial motorcycle) rider to take her back the following morning.

    “Our mother left with the Okada rider at 7 a.m on Friday. Unfortunately, she did not get to her village.”

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said it was not clear yet if the deceased was killed by ritualists.

    He said: “We cannot say for now if it was a spiritual killing because before the deceased was found, her body was already decomposing. So, one cannot say yet if parts of her body were removed.

    “But we are waiting for the result of autopsy to determine the cause of the death.”

    The police spokesman said a member of Taiwo’s church had been arrested in connection with the killing.

  • Pastor, friend ‘behead’ boy, 7

    Pastor, friend ‘behead’ boy, 7

    •Suspects bury head in altar

    The police yesterday arrested two persons for allegedly beheading a seven-year-old boy and burying the head in a church altar in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    One of the suspects, Adedoyin Oyekan, is said to be a pastor. The other whose name was simply given as Eric was described as the boy’s father’s friend.

    The police saved the suspects from being lynched by a mob.

    Eric was said to have abducted the boy who was left in his care by the father on Wednesday.

    He allegedly took the child to the pastor’s church where they allegedly beheaded him between 2am and 4am yesterday.

    When the father came back for his son Eric, claimed he had sent the boy home.

    The father was said to have reported the matter at Shagamu Police Station, prompting an investigation.

    According to a resident, the police clamped down on Eric, who allegedly led detectives to the pastor’s place where the child’s head was buried.

    The source said: “A little boy was beheaded. He’s about seven years. His father’s friend took him out to an unknown pastor around Odogunyan Ikorodu, who has reportedly fled.

    “The boy’s father asked his friend where his son was and he responded that he has already left him to come back home, which was a lie. They killed the boy and beheaded him between 2am and 4am. They buried his head underneath the altar of the pastor’s church.

    “The father’s friend was arrested then he confessed what they did with the boy. They exhumed the head and brought them all to the station. At the station they said the police said they were waiting for the Commissioner.”

    It was gathered that some residents stormed the police station, threating to mob the suspects.

    They destroyed a part of its perimeter fence and threating to set the station ablaze if the suspects were not released to them.

    The command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the suspects were apprehended by some patrolling policemen.

    He said the policemen clamped down on Eric whose confession led to the pastor’s arrest and the recovery of the boy’s body.

    He said: “On investigation one of the suspects, Eric confessed to the crime. He led a team of policemen to Odokekere/Odogunyan to apprehend Oyekan, who later led the team to where the seven-year-old boy was beheaded and his head buried.

    “They hid the body inside a canal. The two suspects involved have been arrested and the body and the head of the boy were brought to the station. Investigation has commenced and the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.”

  • I thought the pastor will not defraud me, Titi Atiku tells court

    I thought the pastor will not defraud me, Titi Atiku tells court

    Mrs Titi Atiku, wife of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, on Tuesday told an Ikeja High Court, that she trusted a business partner who allegedly defrauded her of N918 million because of his status as a pastor.

    “I thought that the first defendant, being a pastor, he will not defraud me.

    “I thought that he was being genuine with me during our business dealings “ Mrs Atiku said while being cross examined in the ongoing fraud trial against a pastor, Nsikakabasi Akpan-Jacobs, Abdulmalik Ibrahim and Dana Motors Ltd.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed the accused with a 15- count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918 million belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.

    Mr Amos Ibe, the defence counsel to Akpan-Jacobs while cross examining Mrs Atiku, questioned why she used different monikers in company documents relating to the fraud.

    “Before I start cross examining you Ma, should I refer to you as Your Excellency?

    “Why was the name Florence Doregos used in the petition from the EFCC which is exhibit one, as well as other fake names in documents you used to transact business with the first defendant?,” Ibe queried.

    Replying, Titi said: “I am Her Excellency forever, it was under my instruction and direction that the petition was written.

    “My name is Florence Doregos, my name is Titi Amina Atiku Abubakar, the Mrs in the petition is a mistake made by my Lawyer.

    “Florence is my name and it was easy for me to use Doregos while I was in state service.

    “The name of my biological father is Dorego Albert, we are from Ilesha but I have cousins who are from the Republic of Benin.

    “I can choose Doregos, I can choose Albert as my surname, they are all my names, even Dino Melaye, his name is Daniel but he calls himself Dino.

    “I can twist my name anyhow I want.”

    Responding to Ibe’s questions about her identity when she married the former Vice-President, she said “I married my husband at the Ikoyi Registry in 1971.

    “I was a Christian before I married my husband, Angelina is my baptismal name, Florence is my confirmation name.

    “When I got married to my husband, I converted to Islam and I have been called Amina Titilayo, Titilayo was what I was called at home,” she said.

    Ibe, however, still questioning Mrs Atiku’s real identity, told her that a book written in honour of her husband titled ‘Atiku: The Story of Atiku Abubakar,’ claimed that she was from a Local Government Area in Adamawa.

    “I am from my husband’s Local Government Area by virtue  of marriage.

    “Whether I’m from the moon o, that’s not the matter on ground,” she said.

    Ibe, sought to tender the book written in honour of the former Vice-President to the court but it was rejected by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

    “The document does not fall under the definition of a public document under the Evidence Act, it is a private document, it is therefore rejected,” Ipaye said.

    NAN reports that THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, a company created in 2000 belonged to Mrs Atiku, Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes.

    She was allegedly to be the majority shareholder with 49 per cent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 per cent shares.

    Akpan-Jacobs, who also doubled as the company’s Managing Director and Secretary, was accused to have gone to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and  altered the share holding in his favour and forging the company’s board resolution.

    He allegedly under the new share arrangement allotted 70 per cent shares to himself and 15 per cent shares each to Titi and Holmes.

    According to the EFCC, welding a fraudulent shareholding power, Akpan-jacobs sold a property belonging to the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd for N918 million.

    The property is located at Plot C63 A, Amuwo-Odofin Commercial Layout along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.

    During Tuesday’s proceedings, the defence disputed Mrs Atiku’s claims that she invested over N1.2billion into the business transactions with the defendants.

    “Your petition stated that you invested over N200 million and in another document it stated that you invested over N1.2billion, which fact is correct?

    “Do you have accounting reports, did you hire an auditor to look at the accounts, how did you arrive at N1.2billion?

    “N200 million is the money I spent in building the bonded terminal, by the time it was ready, it was worth N1.2billion.

    “Akpan-Jacobs never gave me any records, I was in the state service, I did not get any auditor, Akpan-Jacobs has the evidence of the money I spent, I didn’t know that our business transactions will become a court case,” she said.

    Mrs Atiku while in the witness box, accused Akpan-Jacobs of using her company property as a collateral for a bank loan that he sought when he wanted to run for the Akwa-Ibom gubernatorial elections.

    “He used my bonded terminal as a collateral for a loan when he wanted to run for governorship of Akwa-Ibom, when he couldn’t refund the money the bank wanted to acquire the bonded terminal, he sold it to Dana Motors Ltd,

    “I was the largest shareholder of THA Shipping Company with 49% of shares, my German partner Fred Holmes had 26% and Akpan-Jacobs has 25%,

    “Akpan-Jacobs never contributed a dime to the company, I couldn’t be involved in all the documentation because I was in service.

    “He did the registration and promotion of the company, he brought all the papers to me at the villa to sign, he later fraudulently changed the shareholding powers of my shipping company to favour himself.

    “He gave me 15 percent, Holmes 15 percent and he took 70 percent shareholding power for himself.

    “I never entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with him to sell the company, that is why I’m in court, when he couldn’t repay the loan, he sold the company to Dana Motors Ltd.

    “When the fraud happened, we initially agreed to settle out of court, but instead of settling, he went to sell the cranes and the company, giving the EFCC N16 million which I received, “ she said.

    Akpan-Jacobs lawyer, asked the court to cancel the next court date slated for May 24 for continuation of the trial on the grounds of his Ill health.

    “My Lord, I ask for the previously adjourned date of May 24 to be vacated because I am currently battling ill health,” Ibe said.

    Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, the EFCC counsel however, opposed Ibe’s request.

    “There have been four adjournments at the cost of the plaintiff, she flies in at great risk to her safety from Abuja for every court date and she is supposed to be helping take care of a newborn of one of her children.

    “We have another witness who has travelled on four occasions for 15 hours by road from Yola and the case keeps being adjourned, I will like to request for a cost of N750,000 from the defendants to cover the financial expenses of the plaintiff,” he said.

    Justice Ipaye granted a cost of N100,000 against Akpan-Jacobs and adjourned the case until July 5 and 6 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

  • I rejected suggestions to marry secret wife —Pastor blessed with twins after 16 years of waiting

    I rejected suggestions to marry secret wife —Pastor blessed with twins after 16 years of waiting

    •Despite long delay, I didn’t lose hope—Wife

    There was animated joy penultimate Sunday in Ikere Ekiti as friends, family members and well-wishers celebrated with a couple, Pastor Michael Sunday Ajala and his wife, Mrs. Helen Folasade Ajala, who were blessed with a set of twins; a boy and a girl.

    Pastor Ajala and his wife, Folasade, were joined in holy wedlock on August 18, 2001, at Emure- Ekiti, but their hope for early childbearing was dashed after the woman suffered stillbirth at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife in Osun State, a few months after their marriage was consummated. Doctors at the hospital attributed the loss of the baby to a cardiac arrest Folasade suffered during pregnancy.

    It was a long wait for Folasade, as efforts to procure another pregnancy proved abortive even as the couple was subjected to medical tests and visited gynaecologists in various hospitals amid fasting and prayer. The couple’s prayers were eventually answered in July 2016 when Folasade began to see signs of pregnancy.

    Medical tests later confirmed that the she was pregnant and their joy knew no bounds. Nine months later, precisely April 2, 2017, Folasade was delivered of a set of twins (a boy and a girl). The news of the birth spread round Ikere Ekiti like a wild fire in the harmattan.

    The home of the couple located in Oke-Igbe area of Ikere Ekiti was filled to capacity as neighbours, relations, family members, church members and other members of the public trooped there to congratulate them and welcome the new babies. A lavish naming ceremony was held on April 9, at the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Hephzibah Cathedral, Kajola, Ikere Ekiti, where the couple worship.

    At the ceremony, thousands of well-wishers rejoiced with the long suffering couple. The baby boy was named Philip; Sunday; Taiwo; Temitope; Abimbola; Oluwapamilerin and Ayomide, while the girl was named Delight; Bisola; Kehinde; Iyanuoluwa; Bosede and Modalayo. In his sermon at the ceremony, Ikere District Pastor of the church, Pastor Olumide Fred Akinrotohun, described the birth of the twins as a reward for the faithfulness of the couple in spite of their plight during the long wait. Quoting from the books of Genesis Chapter 30 Verse 1, Psalm 127:3-5 and Psalm 128:1-6, the cleric said nobody can by his own power produce children except God grants him the grace saying worrying and anxiety can’t do it but only faith in God.

    Pastor Akinrotohun said the story of the Ajalas was a testimony that God still answers prayer commending the couple for soldiering on in faith when every hope seemed to have been lost. Giving testimony before the congregation, Pastor Ajala, 52, who hails from Ikere Ekiti, said he felt a sense of relief when God spoke to him on July 31 that He has done it and in a matter of months his wife would put to bed. He said: “The Lord is good, the Lord is wonderful.

    At times, God may delay it to answer you better. We serve a God who turned impossibility to possibility and who reversed the irreversible. “Some people were spreading false rumours about my wife, others gave me suggestions that I should marry another wife which I rejected. I had a strong belief in God that He would do it at the right time.

    “I never allowed the problem of childbearing to show on my face. In fact, some people used to tell me that is the God you are serving not able to do it for you? But I thank God that He has done it today and this has become a reality. “There is no problem too big for God to solve, there is nothing impossible for God to do. This is an evidence of what God can do and this should encourage couples still going through similar problems that God will answer them.

    “God made the delivery of the twins easier for us during this period of economic challenges as God raised people for us who supported us financially. This is a wonder from God and we will continue to praise God for answering us at last. “It has been almost nerve-wracking experience but we thank God that He eventually saw us through because we have been believing in Him for all the 16 years we were expecting.

    And God proved Himself beyond all reasonable doubts.� “We believed in the efficacy of the power of God. We were praying and we believed that God can do all things. We believed in the grace of God, that there is nothing impossible for Him to do.” In an interview with our reporter after the christening service, Ajala who is also a senior officer in the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, said he held on to God and resisted attempts by some individuals to arrange a “secret wife” for him by those who had given up that his wife could bear him a child. He further disclosed that some suggested a visit to witch doctors to unravel the mystery behind the long delay in childbearing and get a solution which he rebuffed because of his faith in the living God. Ajala said:

    “So many people came to me and gave several advice. Some said that I was getting much older to the point of having grey hairs. They urged me to marry another woman. “Some even arranged a secret wife for me but I refused all these overtures because I believed in the promise of God that it would come to reality. Others suggested that I visit herbalists and other spiritualists but I refused because I believed only in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believed that there is a living God in our church, the Gospel Faith Mission International that answers prayer. “We are both ministers in the church, by God’s grace and we held on tenaciously to our faith in God.” On his advice for barren couples, Ajala said: “If I were to advise other couple still waiting on God for fruits of the womb, I will simply urge them to be just a little patient. This is because God has a better package for them.

    “He wants to answer their prayers in a better way. They shouldn’t be moved by pressures from both families, friends, relatives and what have you. It is only God who can answer their prayers. “His gifts are perfect and add no sorrow. By the time they wait on God, He would answer them in a bigger way and they will give all glory to Him. “For us to have been able to hold on till this time that God answered us, it has been by God’s grace and our closeness to His word which kept assuring us and the church has really helped us a lot.’’ Giving her testimony before the congregation, Folasade, 46, an indigene of Emure Ekiti, said the birth of the babies had put an end to her long wait for the fruit of the womb and given her a testimony. She said:

    “This is the handiwork of God and it is an evidence that God still answers prayer of those who wait on him. Despite the long delay, I didn’t lose hope and I never gave up believing that one day, my prayers will be answered. “During the period of waiting, some people used to wonder that they never saw me in a sorrowful mood. In fact, somebody asked my mother-in-law that what is wrong with me that whenever they were celebrating occasions, I was the first person that would be there. “The fellow said why am I so swift to celebrate with other people and also assist them to cook food to celebrate ceremonies and what is making me to be happy despite not being a mother yet.

    “But I told my mother-in-law that I have to celebrate with others so that they will celebrate with me. I told her that I must celebrate others so that they can celebrate me as well, that as I go to other people’s occasions, they will come and celebrate my own with me. “I told Mama that the person was reminding God to answer my prayer. That person was spurring God to answer me swiftly and I thank God for answering my prayer; God has done it for me eventually.

    “I want to thank God for giving me in-laws who stood by me throughout the difficult period. They supported me, encouraged me and prayed for me and today, we are all celebrating together. “I want to encourage couples that are still waiting for their children not to lose hope, if God can do it for us, God can also do it for them because children comes from God. They should hold on to God who has the power to turn around their situation for good.”

    Speaking on her challenges during the long wait, Folasade, who is a staff member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said: “There were many challenges. One of them and very painful was during December period when I see other mothers buying many gifts for their children for the festivity. “In my place of work, I would see many parents buying gifts for their children. Many would be talking about what they are buying for their children and some would be saying that if one has no child in this world, his journey on earth is in vain. “So, I had heard so many unpalatable things about our condition from friends, colleagues at work and even church members. But I wasn’t discouraged or moved through the grace of God.

    “I wasn’t moved with such mockery and insults because I believed in God’s power, I have been praying and He had assured that He would do it. So, whenever I hear those things, I hold on to God’s promise. “That way, I didn’t entertain so much worry. Fortunately, there were no pressures from my in-laws. They supported us and were praying for us. They are very loving people.’’� Advising women who are still in her former condition, Mrs. Ajala said:

    “For women out there who are still expecting this bundle of joy, they should stick to God, strengthen their faith in Him. “They should therefore depend on God for their own miracle because, from my experience, I have come to know that there is no impossibility with God. Whatever He says He would do, He would surely do it.

    “The year we got married, God assured me that I would never be barren, so when this delay came, I didn’t doubt Him, I held unto His word and kept faith with it.

    “To those who have mocked us, derided us, and given wrong advice to us, we enjoin them to come closer to God and seek to know Him better, because if they had come to the knowledge of Christ, they wouldn’t have done such.”

  • Pastor forged estate’s signatures, says witness

    An Ogba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has heard how a cleric, Pastor Kola Shotayo, allegedly forged the signatures of the administrators of the Estate of the late Chief Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu.

    Shotayo, 65, is the acclaimed representative of the Anthonio Delfino de Maranda Family of Lagos, which is in court with the Ashamu Estate over ownership of land in Anthony Village and Oke Alo in Gbagada, Lagos.

    He was arraigned by the police last December 16 on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit forgery and making a false document.

    The defendant was accused of forging the signatures of Mrs Jadesola Lokulo-Sodipe (Nee Ashamu) and her sister Titiloye Ashamu (the Administrators of the Ashamu Estate as well as manipulating a deed of assignment purportedly prepared by the Law Firm of Bolanle Bamgbose & Associates.

    According to the prosecutor, Mr Michael Unah, the offences contravened sections 411(4) and 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released on N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    At the commencement of proceedings last Friday, first prosecution witness, Mrs Fausat Bolanle Bamgbose, under cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr M. A. Opawoye, narrated how she knew the deed of assignment was not from her office.

    She said: “Immediately I saw the document, I knew they were not mine. I have a standard format for my agreements and a specialised legal paper that I use.

    “We’ve always suspected that my signature and those of my clients could have been forged, and that is why we have continued to put out newspaper advertisements to warn unsuspecting prospective buyers of land in Oke Alo and Anthony Village.”

    The defendant is yet to open his defence.

    Magistrate A. O. Gbajumo adjourned till May 24, 2017.

     

  • Housewife accused of calling pastor ‘prostitute’

    Housewife accused of calling pastor ‘prostitute’

    A housewife, Nkiruka Ibeanu, was yesterday arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly calling a pastor, Lovelyn Mba, a prostitute and threatening to kill her.

    Ibeanu, of Abijo in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, was charged before Magistrate B. I. Bakare with threat to life and breach of peace.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Innocent Odugbo said there was a disagreement between the women, sometime last December in Ajangbadi, Lagos.

    Odugbo alleged that Ibeanu conducted herself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by calling Mba a prostitute.

    He added: “The defendant also sent text messages to the phone of the complainant, saying, she would kill the complainant.”

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 56 and 166 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Ibeanu pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Bakare granted her N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. The sureties, he said, must be employed and have verifiable addresses.

    He adjourned till March 29.

  • Baptist pastor turns 60

    Baptist pastor turns 60

    The pastor of First Baptist Church (FBC), 12, Oremerin Street, Itire, Lagos State, Rev. Adenrele Philip Oyeyemi, will celebrate his diamond jubilee on March 18.

    The programme starts at 11am at the church auditorium.

    Oyeyemi, ex-consultant of Itesiwaju Baptist Association in Lagos East Baptist Conference of Nigerian Baptist Convention, who hails from Ejigbo in Osun State, said: “I am grateful to God for preserving me to celebrate 60 years on earth. It has been a long, fruitful journey.

    “I will mark two events on Saturday. My 60th birthday and send-off after almost nine years as the pastor of FBC, Itire.

    “I thank my wife, Kemi, and my children for their support. I also express my profound gratitude to members for ensuring I enjoy my tenure. To God be the glory for the marvellous things He has done in my life. Jesus is Lord.”

  • Pastor, three others die in Bayelsa crash

    A pastor identified as Adama and three other persons have been feared dead in a motors accident that occurred along the Ammassoma-Yenagoa road in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that many others sustained various degrees of injuries in the crash that happened at about 3pm on Sunday.

    Among the injured casualties was a 300-level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Miss Debora Willimor.

    Willimor had a broken leg and was rushed to the Gloryland Medical Centre but was later relocated to a traditional bone healer by her family.

    Eyewitnesses said that the accident involved a 14-seater bus and a private car adding that over-speeding and reckless overtaking caused the crash.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Butwat Asinim, who confirmed the incident gave the registration number of the bus and the car as Yen 279 KA AU 162 USL.

    He said the vehicles were involved in head-on collision.

    Bayelsa Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) could not give details of the accident as most of its personnel said they were yet to visit the accident scene.

    But Butswat said one person was confirmed dead on the spot.

    One of the survivors of the accident, identified as Miss Tare, a clerical officer at the Federal University, Otuoke said they were returning to Yenagoa from Amasoma when the incident happened.

    She thanked God for surviving the accident.