A 45-year-old man, Joshua Pius, was brought before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday over allegations of breaking into a church and stealing items valued at ₦560,000.
Pius, who reportedly has no fixed residence, is facing a two-count charge bordering on burglary and theft.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, the incident occurred on August 12 around 11:30 a.m. at the Testimony Church of Embassy Island, located in the Agric Olope area of Ado-Ekiti. Apata told the court that the defendant, along with unidentified accomplices still at large, unlawfully entered the church and made away with valuable property belonging to the founder, Mr. Adewumi Oluwasumibola.
The stolen items reportedly include a drum worth ₦100,000, a 26-inch OX-standing fan valued at ₦250,000, two jingle bells estimated at ₦60,000, a trumpet worth ₦50,000, and a generator coil valued at ₦100,000 — all totaling ₦560,000.
The prosecutor stated that the alleged offences are in violation of Sections 326 and 302(9) of the Ekiti State Penal Code Law, 2021.
Pius pleaded not guilty to the charges and informed the court that he had no legal representation. In response, the prosecutor requested a postponement to review the case file and prepare witnesses.
The matter was then adjourned by the Chief Magistrate.