Pastor remanded over alleged attempt to kill female colleague

The pastor in charge of The Life House Ministry, Ojo Barracks,
Ojo, Lagos, Pastor Benjamin Akinsanya was on Tuesday arraigned
before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate`s Court for allegedly
sponsoring a six-man gang of suspected assassins to kill a female
pastor, Janet Ogunsola over spiritual popularity tussle.

Other defendants charged alongside the pastor whose church is
located on Ifeoma Street, opposite Ojo Barracks, Ojo, included
Darlington Orji, 25, and liberty Elvis, 29.

The trial Magistrate, A.A. Famobiwo who ordered their remand
said they should remain in custody of the Nigerian Correctional
Services (NCS) until they perfect their bail.

Prosecuting CSP C.C. Onwumere informed the court that the
defendants committed the offence in October 2019 at 1, Adeleye
Street, Ojo, Lagos.

The pastor and others are facing a five-count charge bothering
on attempted murder and belonging to an unlawful society called
Aiye cult confraternity.

Police counsel, CSP Onwumere C.C informed the court that the
accused persons committed the offence in October, 2019 at 1,
Adeleye Street, Ojo, Lagos.

Onwumere told the court that Pastor Akinsanya allegedly
sponsored the two other defendants and others still at large, to
help him kill the complainant for becoming more popular than him in
church ministry in Ojo area of Lagos.

It was alleged that Akinsanya, 56, allegedly paid the suspects
N500,000 to terminate the life of the female pastor in charge of
Glorious Chapel Ministry located at 1, Adeleye Street, Ojo, to
prevent her from being more popular spiritually than him in Ojo
environs.

Police alleged that sometime in October, 2019, the suspects,
with others still at large, invaded the residence of the
complainant armed with guns to attempt to kill her.

It was alleged that when the defendants, could not find the
complainant at home, they allegedly shot sporadically into her
residence and left.

Following the development, the complainant sent a save-our-soul
petition to the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed
Adamu.

The complainant, Pastor Ogunsola had stated that a woman came to
her church to complain of problems and that she led her prayer
warriors to pray for her and she left.

“After about a month, the woman came back to my church to give
testimonies that the prayer she received in my church has solved
her
problems.

“She also stated that she had been battling with the problems
for the past eight years at Akinsanya’s Church without
solution.

“When Akinsanya heard of the testimonies, he vowed to kill me
because almighty God used me to solve the problem of his former
church member”,
Ogunsola stated.

Following the report, IGP Adamu directed the Deputy Commissioner
of Police, DCP in charge of FSARS, Lagos, Durosimi Olatoye to hunt
down
the suspects.

Olatoye gave a marching order to his crack team led by Supol
Garba Oseni to fish out the suspects anywhere they may be
hiding.

And the police team arrested the pastor who later led the
operatives to arrest two of the suspects while others managed to
escape.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Famobiwo granted them bail in the sum of N100, 000
each with two sureties each in the like sum.

He adjourned the case until December 12.

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DSS Uncovers Plot to Destabilise Nigeria During Yuletide
Seasons

The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered syndicated
plots by some undesirable groups to cause a breakdown of law and
order in various parts of the country including Abuja.

The arrangement is to instigate protests, mass action and
violence with a view to causing anarchy and destabilizing the
country.

These predetermined actions have been designed to take place
simultaneously in the major cities across the geopolitical zones in
the coming weeks. This is more so that the plotters are also
targeting the yuletide seasons to accomplish their sinister
motives.

Considering the implications of these on public safety and
national security, the Service wishes to warn the anti-democratic
elements responsible for these heinous plots to desist forthwith
from their inglorious acts.

Consequently, parents are advised to rein in their wards and
enjoin them not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble.
Similarly, Heads of academic and public institutions are to warn
their students and employees respectively from engaging in any
untoward activity against public order.

The Service and other sister agencies are at alert and will
ensure that peace and security are maintained in all parts of the
country before, during and after the festive periods. Law abiding
citizens are equally encouraged to go about their normal businesses
without fear but report any suspected persons or breach of peace to
the nearest security office to them.

Peter Afunanya, Ph.D
Public Relations Officer,
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja