A 31-year-old man, Ebuka Nwafor, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, for allegedly breaking into a church and stealing musical instruments worth N423,000.
The defendant, whose address and occupation were not provided, is facing a four-count charge.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mary Ajiteru told the court that the defendant conspired with others still at large and broke into a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God on Arihudom Street, Owode-Ajegunl, Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.
She said that the defendant and his accomplices broke into the church on Nov 11, at 3:00 a.m. and stole the musical instruments.
Ajiteru added that the defendant broke in through a window.
She said that the defendant stole a sound mixer, a piano, an LG plasma television set, two amplifiers, four-wire microphones and one wireless microphone, all valued at N423,000.
She alleged that the pastor presiding over the church was in his office when the suspected thieves entered, adding that he heard noises.
“When he came to check what was happening, the intruders had broken in and the defendant was seen trying to cart away the plasma TV; he was caught while the others escaped,” she said.
She said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 311, 411 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Magistrate, Mr O.M. Dawodu, granted the defendant N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case until Dec. 19 for mention.