Man Lands in Court for Allegedly Stealing a Bible

 

Ade Akindele, a 25-year-old unemployed man was on Thursday brought before an Ojo Magistrate Court, Lagos. Akindele was charged with the theft of a King James Version of the Bible valued at N1,000. Interestingly, the accused initially entered a “guilty” plea when the charge was read to him, but later changed to “not guilty.” Meanwhile, the prosecutor, ASP Friday Eze, said that the accused had no fixed residence but was staying at the mechanic garage on Aka Road, off Salami Street, Afromedia, Lagos.

Eze alleged that the accused committed the offence on October 9, at about 9.30 a.m., at Shop B, No. 22, Adebisi Close, Sabo Ajangbadi, Lagos. He explained that the accused had entered the shop of one Miss Blessing Awodita, the complainant, while she was asleep and removed a black purse and a Bible from her table. Akindele, he alleged, had stood in the shop for a while with the Bible in his hand, staring at the sleeping woman.

The complainant suddenly woke up to discover the stranger staring at her, with her Bible and purse in his hands. He told the court that the frightened woman shouted for help and two of her male neighbours accosted the accused. Eze said that the accused resisted but was subdued by the men who collected the items from him and took him to the police station. He said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State. However, Following his “not guilty” plea, the magistrate, Mr. T.O Shomade, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety.

He adjourned the case till November 12 for mention.