An Osun State Magistrate Court has arraigned the Pastor of Freed Zone Church, Ijebu Ode in Ogun-State.
The pastor, identified as Afolayan Joseph, 46 years, was charged for fraud and an attempt to commit suicide in police custody.
He was arraigned alongside a 35-year-old-woman, Bimbo Olanrewaju.
Channels Television gathered that Bimbo who resides in Osogbo, the Osun State capital had been in a relationship with Joseph since 2014 and that he paid her visits occasionally from Ijebu-Ode.
The pastor had reportedly told Bimbo that he had some goods he wanted to clear from Canada which he needed the sum of 600,000 naira.
He was said to have collected some money from his purported lover who went around to borrow the money, after which he fled to an unknown place before he was arrested in Osogbo.
Joseph was accused of stealing, pretence and attempted suicide while Bimbo was arraigned for stealing and pretence.
The Police Prosecutor, Mr Sunday Ajayj, told the court that Bimbo and Joseph sometimes in May, 2015 at Mubinu street in Jaye Area of Osogbo, did conspire together to commit felony by obtaining money under false pretence.
“They did obtain money totalling the sum of 450,000 naira under false pretence from one Odeleye Mathew Banjo.
“They also stole the sum of 450,000 naira property of one Odeleye Mathew Banjo,” he said.
The prosecutor stated that the offence committed contravenes sections 516, 419 and 390 (9) of Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II; Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.
However, the accused cleric, on January 18, 2017 at about 9:00AM at the custody of Oke Odo Police Divisional Headquarters attempted to commit suicide by using his shirt to tighten his neck in the cell.
He was said to have committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 327 of Criminal Code 34 Vol. II; Laws of Osun State of Nigeria.
The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the allegations levelled against them.
The magistrate, Mrs Sodamada, consequently granted them bail in the sum of 100,000 naira each and adjourned hearing on the case till February 20, 2017.