Missing Document Stalls Prophet’s Fraud Trial
Missing Document Stalls Prophet’s Fraud Trial
By Samuel Mayowa
Monday’s trial of Prophet Cletus Ilongwo could not go on as planned following the prosecution’s failure to provide the defense with basic documents for proceedings.
Prophet Ilongwo who is the founder and general overseer of Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry, a.k.a Tuesday Tuesday Church is facing trial for an alleged N49.6million swindle of his church member.
This is according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Ahmed Yerima, as the prophet was further re-arraigned on an amended charge of stealing N128 million from a banker.
The trial saw a former Fidelity Bank staff, Obinna Ezenwaka, tell the court that the suspect’s action made him lose his job.
Narrating his ordeal, he said, “As at 2016, I was with Fidelity Bank as Head of Marketing, Corporate Banking. I was with Fidelity Bank for five years before I was disengaged in 2017 after previous stints with Oceanic, Ecobank, and Diamond Bank. Sometimes in 2015, I was introduced to the church in Abule Ado.”
The defense counsel, Titilola Akinlawon (SAN) however interjected and requested for the witness statement so as to cross-examine the suspect which halted proceedings.
Following the defense counsel’s submission, the presiding judge, Justice Sherifat Solebo, adjourned the case till January 15, 2019 while granting the suspect a N20 million bail.
The bail also ordered the suspect’s provision of three sureties with landed property in Lagos State along with a deposit of his international passport with the court registrar.
Picture Source- The Metro Lawyer
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