Pastor docked over alleged N1.5m fraud

The police on Tuesday in Lagos charged a 59-year-old pastor, Simeon Israel, accused of obtaining N1.5 million under the pretext of spiritually helping a woman to solve her marital problems.

Israel, a resident of Igando area of Lagos, appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Eranus Nnamonu, said that the accused, and others still at large, conspired and committed the offences at 10.15 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2013 along Igando Road, Lagos.

According to him, Israel presented himself as a pastor being led spiritually to solve marital problems.

He said that the accused fraudulently obtained N1.5 million from Alhaja Titilayo Aliyu, under the guise of solving her marital issues.

Nnamonu noted that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 312 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for offenders on conviction.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

“One of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused,’’ she said.

Komolafe adjourned the case till May 15 for trial. (NAN)