Security man jailed for stealing N.4m from Four Square Church

An Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos has sentenced a security man, Joseph Ayanda, 25, to seven months imprisonment for breaking and entering into the office of his employer, Four square Gospel Church located at 57, Igbosere Road, Lagos Island, to steal the sum of N426,400.

The convict, a resident of Lagos Island, was sentenced by Magistrate M.O Osinbanjo of court 14, Igbosere Magistrate Court after the convict pleaded guilty to the one count charge of stealing preferred against him by the police at the Lion building Division, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Police alleged that the journey to jail started for the convict on 24 September, 2018 when he broke and entered into the administrative office of his employer, Foursquare Gospel Church at midnight to seal the sum of N426,400 in their safe and escaped.

Following the incident, members of the church reported the matter to the Divisional Police officer, DPO in charge of Lion Building Division who directed Inspector Chibuzor Nwanfor and his team to fish out the fleeing security men anywhere he might be hiding and they arrested the convict after about a month of manhunt at a hide out.

During investigation, according to the police, the convict confessed to the crime and said that he broke into his employer’s office to steal the money and that he used part of the money to purchase a motorcycle for N160,000 and used the balance to lodge in a hotel to enjoy with women.

The convict was charge on a one count charge of stealing punishable under section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and the facts of the case presented before the court by the Police Counsel, Rosemary Ehimegbe.

Magistrate Osinbajo subsequently sentenced him to seven months imprisonment without an option of fine.