A Pastor of Living Faith Church, aka Winners’ Chapel, is to spend three years behind bars, for stealing $90,000 and N4.5 million that belonged to the registered trustees of the church.
Afolabi Samuel who is the church treasurer was arraigned on a two-count conspiracy and stealing before Justice Mojisola Dada by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The pastor and one Blessing Kolawole, an employee of the Covenant University, currently at large, allegedly conspired to steal the money and used it for personal purposes.
The EFCC said Samuel connived with Kolawole and others, to take advantage of their position to commit the crime.
Justice Dada of Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja found Samuel guilty of the charges and sentenced him accordingly.
Counsel to the convict, Rotimi Ogunwuyi, admitted his client’s action did not only embarrass him but also his family and pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
The counsel’s allocutus made the judge grant Samuel an option of fine of N1 million and ordered him to refund $90,000 and N2,358,000 to the church.
