Man Arrested With Charm In Church

A man, Ali Haruna, 25, a native of Kano State, northwest Nigeria, has been arrested by the police at the Maroko Police Division, Lekki, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, for allegedly entering the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, situated on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos with charms strapped to his waist.

He was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate court on one count charge of illegally entering a church with charms.

The police alleged that the accused was arrested following a complaint by members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos, that they found theaccused inside their church on 31 March, 2013 with charms. During interrogation, he allegedly told the police that he entered the church to pray to God.

But when asked what he was doing with the charms he strapped to his waist, he could not give satisfactory answer nor explain how long he has been worshiping in the church since he claimed he was a Muslim.

The church members suspected him to have entered the church to perpetrate evil.

After investigation by Corporal Sekinat Akinbola, he was charged to court.
The offence is contrary to and punishable undersection 133(b) of the criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Magistrate Mrs. Ope Agbe admitted him on bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

She adjourned the matter till 29 April, 2013 for mention. The defendant was, however, moved to Ikoyi prison pending when he would fulfil the bail conditions.