An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on
Friday struck out an application for the
withdrawal of a N710, 000 fraud charge
against a Choir Director of the Christ
Embassy Church, Lagos.

The police had on May 15 arraigned the
director, Sunday Eboh, who allegedly
defrauded another member of the church,
David Egaifa, under false pretences of
helping him to purchase a Toyota bus.
Chief Magistrate Omolade Awope struck out
the application when Egaifa exhibited
ignorance of implications of the withdrawal.
The complainant, who had earlier agreed
with the accused to withdraw the suit, told
court on Friday that he was not properly
enlightened on the implications of
withdrawing the case.

Mr. Egaife made this known after the
prosecutor, Corporal Adekemi Adeniran, told
him that he would not be able to bring back
the case once withdrawn.
“Madam, it is during this section that I learnt
I can’t come back for the same case after
withdrawal, but I was told that l can re-
arrest Eboh if he refuses to pay my money.
“My Lord, l don’t want withdrawal again. I
withdraw my application,” Mr. Egaifa said.
The choir director, who lives at No. 11,
Church St., Ketu, Lagos, is facing a two-count
charge of false pretence and stealing.
He had pleaded not guilty on arraignment,
and was granted bail in the sum of N200,
000 with two sureties in like sum.
The prosecutor said that he committed the
offences in February, 2012 at 12:30 p.m., at
the Christ Embassy Church, Ketu, Lagos.
“The accused told the complainant that his
relatives are living in United Kingdom and
that they frequently sent cars home for sale.
“The complainant was not totally convinced,
so he asked the accused to deposit his B.Sc
certificate and his NYSC discharge certificate,
to be turned to him when he brings the bus.
After collecting the money, the accused ran
away until last week when he turned up to
demand for the certificates,” Ms. Adeniran
said.

She said that the offences contravened
Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of
Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 prescribes three years
imprisonment for stealing while Section 312
provides for 15 years imprisonment for
obtaining by false pretences.