4th May, 2012
An Ikeja High Court in Lagos on Friday granted bail to John Okeke, a Pentecostal archbishop, who allegedly stole property of his church members valued at N7 million.
Okeke, founder of God’s Pentecostal Ministry World Wide, Iba in Lagos, is facing a nine-count charge bordering on stealing, forgery, uttering and impersonation.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo in a ruling granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum and dismissed the objections of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
She held that the 58-year-old accused was entitled to bail, adding the EFCC had failed to show sufficient proof that he would jump bail.
The judge also ordered the EFCC to verify all the documents to be tendered by the sureties.
Okeke was arraigned in court on April 13 and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The case was adjourned to 28 June.