Archbishop Arraigned For Stealing Church Funds

Perhaps our generation needs a long time out for congregations to start preaching to our Men of Gods. 

With the way things are going, anointing my end up with annoyance. You didn't hear that from me o!!! 

Hearing in bail application by ``Archbishop’’ who allegedly stole from church members fixed for April 27
An Ikeja High Court, Lagos, has fixed April 27 for hearing of a bail application by a self-acclaimed Archbishop John Okeke, who allegedly stole from his church members.

The ``Archbishop’’ was alleged to have stolen money and landed property worth N7 million from his church members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Aishat Opesanwo on Friday fixed the date after granting Okeke's request for a change of legal representation.

She ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Okeke's new counsel, Mr Chinedu Ikegbule, to forward all pending applications to her, at least 48 hours before the next adjourned date.

Okeke, founder of God's Pentecostal Ministry Worldwide, Iba, Lagos, is facing a nine-count charge of stealing, forgery, uttering and impersonation.

The 58-year-old accused pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prison custody.

EFCC prosecutor Ben Ubi alleged that Okeke on Sept. 13, 2005 forged the documents of a parcel of land known as ``Plot H1", located at 2nd Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

Ubi said the ``Archbishop’’ did it without the knowledge and consent of the original owners,Messrs Ignatius Ozurumba and Augustine Agumadu.

He said the complainants, who are both Directors of Immortal Impex Ltd., were members of Okeke's church when the act was allegedly carried out.

According to him, Okeke sold the said land to the trustees of Mainland Motorcycle and Spare Parts Dealers Association for the sum of N7 million.

Ubi said the accused had forged a change of ownership document purportedly issued by the Federal Housing Authority, Garki, Abuja.

He was also alleged to have forged a deed of assignment concerning the said property and had impersonated the original owners.

The prosecutor claimed that Okeke fraudulently deposed to an affidavit of loss of original allocation papers before an Apapa Magistrates' Court on June 29, 2004.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 192, 390(8) (b) 467 (2), 468 and 484 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2003.

It also contravened Section 2(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.