If it thus happen that for the love of God or fear of hell or just for mere curiousity, one steals a copy of the bible, is it proper such a person is prosecuted by the law?
A 25-year-old unemployed man, Ade Akindele, has been arraigned before Ojo Magistrate Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing a King James Version of the Bible valued at N1,000, from a shop.
Akindele, who had no fixed residence, was said to have become dazed after allegedly removing a black purse and a Bible from the table of one Miss Blessing Awodita (complainant), while she was asleep.
It was gathered that the accused, after allegedly stealing the Bible, stood in the shop for a while with the Bible in his hand, staring at the complainant who was sleeping, before he was nabbed.
The prosecutor, ASP Friday Eze, informed the court that when the complainant suddenly woke up from her slumber, she did not find it funny to see the stranger gazing at her, with her Bible and purse in his hands. He told the court that the frightened woman shouted for help and two of her male neighbours accosted the accused who resisted but was subdued by the men.
According to the prosecutor, “the accused was staying at the mechanic garage on Aka Road, off Salami Street, Afromedia, Lagos and committed the offence on October 9, at about 9.30 a.m., at Shop B, No. 22, Adebisi Close, Sabo Ajangbadi, Lagos.”
However, when the plea of the accused was taken before the magistrate, Mr. T.O Shomade, he first pleaded “guilty” but later changed to “not guilty,” to an offence that contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Sequel to the accused plea, the magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety and adjourned the case till November 12 for mention.
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