Lagos Pastor, Wife Remanded for N33.8 Million Fraud

The pastor of Kingdom Power International Christian Praying Centre Ishashi, Lagos, Azuka Ohez, and his wife, Mary Ohez, have been remanded by the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court Lagos for their alleged involvement in a N33.8 million fraud case against a lubricant company.

The couple, residents of no fixed address, were arraigned on Wednesday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud. Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatubosun, presiding over the case, ordered their remand in Ikoyi Prison custody until the completion of bail requirements.

Mr. Olatubosun granted each defendant N10 million bail, requiring two responsible sureties each in like sum. The case has been adjourned until May 13 for the substantive trial.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, the accused, along with others still at large, committed the offenses on July 13, 2023, at Oba Ayoka St, Lagos. Momah alleged that the couple, in collaboration with one Chijioke Ezekirian, conspired to steal and receive proceeds of sales from Climax Lubricants Industries in Lagos.

The prosecution claimed that the Ohez couple knowingly received N33.8 million through Fidelity Bank KPICPC account numbers 2033723459 and 5600923549 from Chijioke Ezekirian. These actions, if proven, would contravene sections 328 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.