Pastor arraigned for stealing N2.4million belonging to Redeemed Church

A pastor, Matthew Akinola, was on Monday charged before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over an alleged theft of N2.4 million belonging to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.

Mr. Akinola, 50, was the parish treasurer of the church located at No. 33, Market St., Somolu, Lagos.

The accused, who lives in Somolu, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Akinlabi Adegoke, told the court that the accused had in December 2013 embezzled N2.4 million belonging to the church.

Mr. Adegoke said the fraud was discovered following an audit of the church’s financial records.

“Akinola was in charge of the treasury of the Redeemed Christian Church of God coordinated by the pastor-in-charge, one Pastor James Ojo. After the 2013 year-end audit, it was discovered that N2,490,982 was unaccounted for in the church’s account records,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The magistrate, Bola Osunsanmi, granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until April 4 for trial.