Greatness Auta, 21, claimed he stole from St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Low-Level Makurdi to flee a homosexual.
Auta stated this during his arraignment in Makurdi Magistrates’ Court 3B on Tuesday for alleged house-trespass, damage, and stealing.
Sgt. Kuegh Abugh, the Police Prosecutor, informed the court that the crime was reported to the ‘B’ Division Police Station, High Level, on Sept. 27 by one Moses Akaaimom of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, Low-Level Makurdi.
Abugh claimed that after Morning Mass on the same day, one Terpase Akaayar unlocked the Sacristy for individuals with private intentions to enter and spotted one Greatness Auta who mischievously broke in through the window and took N8,000 from the Saint Vincent De Poor Serving Box.
Auta was apprehended in connection with the incident, he said, and the N8,000 was seized from him during the inquiry.
He stated that the investigation into the matter was complete and that the accused should face a summary trial.
According to the prosecutor, the accused violated Penal Code Law Sections 439, 327, and 288.
When the issue was brought up for discussion, the accused acknowledged taking N11,000 from the chapel (sacristy) rather than the N8,000 that had been charged.
Auta further said that he stole to get away from one Alhaji Sani, who had previously sought to sleep with him, after becoming frustrated in Makurdi town.
He claimed to be a Nasarawa State native, a Catholic, and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akwanga.
He said he required the priest to either provide transportation or contact his counterpart at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Akwanga, where he worships, so they could come to get him, but he refused.
“I am from Akwanga. One Alhaji Sani promised to bring me to Makurdi to get a job but on our way to Makurdi he wanted to sleep with me inside the car which I refused.
“I even informed the driver but he did nothing about it and they subsequently pushed me out of the car.
“When I was pushed out of the car, I saw some Police officers and explained to them but they said they were handicapped and had no money to transport me back to Akwanga.
“When things became extremely tough for me, I went to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Low-Level Makurdi, and told the priest my situation and pleaded with him to contact my parish in Akwanga, which he didn’t do for good four days.
“He later told me that he has nothing to do for me. At that point, I became frustrated and went and lay down inside the Church Chapel.
“Inside the chapel, I saw several envelopes but picked only one which contain N11,000 and I was caught,” he stated.
Auta claimed he simply needed transportation back to Akwanga and that he was not a criminal.
Ms. Kadoom Ghasha, the Magistrate, found the accused guilty of all charges in her ruling.
Gbasha ordered the defendants to one month in prison for each offense, to be served concurrently, with a N1,000 fine as an option.
She stated that the accused’s story and demeanor in court indicated that he was a novice.
(NAN)
