2 teenagers imprisoned for stealing church property

An Abuja Grade 1 Area court has sentenced two teenagers to six months imprisonment for stealing properties worth millions of naira from two different churches in Dutse in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bello Hassan and Friday Baba, all of Dutse Baupma, were convicted for conspiracy, church breaking and theft, offences contrary to Sections 97, 349 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The police prosecutor, Kelechi Echendu, told the court that the complainants, Pastor Damilola Daniels of RCCG House of Mercy, Dutsen Alhaji, and Pastor Daramola Kayode of RCCG, God’s Heritage Parish, Dutse Baupma, jointly reported on August 14 that the accused conspired and burgled their respective churches.

He said they stole two cooking stoves, two medium generators, one big generators, two big 5000AV stabilizers, a bag containing women head-gears and jewelries, curtains, two Airconditioners, one Nokia phone, loud speakers, one Samsung camera, eight new pair of pastoral suits, 10 new shirts, wrist watch and other items valued at N1,360,000.

According to the prosecutor, the accused confessed to the crime during investigation and admitted selling the items to one Dini Saidu of Galadima, Abuja, now late, but added that some of the items were recovered from the deceased before his death.

When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded guilty, attributing the act to the handiwork of the devil, but the judge, Mohammed Marafa sentenced them to six months imprisonment each with an option of N15,000 fine.

The court also ordered them to pay a compensation fee of N400, 000 to the two churches.