Stealing In The Cathedral: Four Church Members Docked

FOUR members of the Corner Stone Bible Church have been brought before a magistrate’s court in Lagos, accused of burgling their own place of worship and stealing musical equipment valued at N12 million.

The defendants, named as Alli Adedayo, 59; Ogwuche Paul, 52; Adeniyi Ramon, 27; and Stephen Mbakwe, 27, are alleged to have broken into the church in the Baruwa Ipaja area of Lagos in the early hours of 11th September 2025.

According to police prosecutors, the group broke the church’s iron protective bars to gain entry at approximately 4:00 am.

They then proceeded to remove a haul of high-value musical gear, including two keyboards, an engine mixer, a 32-channel Behringer mixer, a Yamaha Mod x 13 keyboard, and a portable PSR S775 keyboard.

The theft was reportedly uncovered after information leaked implicating the four men, all of whom were members of the congregation.

The matter was reported to the Ipaja Police Division, leading to their arrest and subsequent detention for questioning.

Following what police described as a “thorough interrogation,” the suspects were charged with five criminal counts and arraigned at the Ejigbo Magistrate Court.

The charges, read in court, included conspiracy to commit a felony, breaking and entering, criminal damage to the church’s iron protector valued at N40,000, and the theft of the N12 million worth of equipment.

A further charge alleged they “omitted to take proper precautions” against the church instruments under their care.

All four defendants entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, which carry potential sentences of several years’ imprisonment.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, requested a hearing date to allow the police to present evidence against the accused.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1 million.

The court stipulated that sureties must provide proof of a means of livelihood and tax payment, with their addresses subject to verification by the court.

The case was adjourned until 31st October 2025 for mention.

The defendants were remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.