Police arraign two suspects over church attack, looting in Lagos

Two of the suspects involved in the attack at the Celestial Church of Christ, Overcomers Parish, Ajah, Lagos, on the 2nd day of June, 2023, have been arraigned by the Police, at the Yaba Magistrate Court. The duo are Badmus Bisiriyu, Male, aged 49 years and Seyi Afolabi, Male, aged 25 years.

The Celestial Church of Christ parish was attacked by an angry mob over the accidental death of a labourer popularly known as ‘Dongo’, a Hausa man residing close to the church while evacuating the church’s soakaway.

The incident which led to attacks on the Senior Shepherd-in-charge of the parish, James Godwin Aso, the secretary of the church, and vandalization as well as looting of the church properties worth millions of naira, while rumours of money was circulated on the internet by bloggers.

The incident that left the church’s shepherd and other members in critical condition for months. The irate mob also set fire to the church building after vandalizing it and looting its property.

The charge sheet reads:

“That you, Badmus Bisiriyu ‘M’, Seyi Afolabi ‘M’, and others still at large on the 2nd day of June, 2023, at about 0702hrs at No 6, Mojeed Adekunle Street, Okera-Nla, Ajah, Lagos State in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspired to commit felony and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

CHARGE SHEET READS:

COUNT II: That you, Badmus Bisiriyu ‘M’ and others still at large on the 2nd day of June, 2023, at about 0702hrs at No 6 Mojeed Adekunle Street, Okera-Nla, Ajah, Lagos State in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal a cow valued Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N700,000), property of Celestial Church of Christ, Overcomers Parish, Ajah, Lagos and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

COUNT III: That you Seyi Afolabi ‘M’ and others still at large, on the 2nd day of June, 2023, at about 0702hrs, at No 6 Mojeed Adekunle Street, Okera-Nla, Ajah, Lagos State in the Lagos Magisterial District, did set ablaze the Celestial Church of Christ, Overcomers Parish, Ajah, Lagos and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 230 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The two suspects were arraigned on Friday, 18th August, 2023 at the Yaba Magistrate Court before Magistrate (Mrs) Olatubosun.

They were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and 2 Sureties with proof of 3 years tax payment.

The case was adjourned till Wednesday, 20th September, 2023.

Other suspects are to be arraigned at a later date.

The Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide is awaiting the report of an autopsy conducted on the corpse of the labourer, Dogo.