Wednesday 30 January 2008

Stealing in the Name of God

I still maintain that religion is becoming part and parcel of the problem we have in Nigeria.
False hope, a departure from the theme of salvation to prosperity, the partnership between Pastors, Imams and other religious leaders with the corrupt people in government and the inability of this same group to speak truth to power is such a shame.
We do have the highest growth in Christianity and Islam in the world nonetheless remains one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
It is high time we start probing the finances of those who hide under the banner of religion to steal and deceive the people.

Redeemed Church Pastor Docked Over N5.7m Tithe
By Wale Igbintade eporter, Lagos
Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00
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A Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Joseph Itegbe, was on Tuesday arraigned at Tapa Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N5.7 million tithe belonging to the church.
Police prosecutor, S. Malo, said between January 2006 and January 2007 Itegbe conspired with others (now at large) to steal a First Bank of Nigeria draft valued N2,360,000 being tithe of church members in The Master Place Province 8, in Gbagada, Lagos.
He told the court that Itegbe stole another First Bank draft valued N3,200,00 as well as a cheque worth N130,000.
Itegbe also allegedly forged a letter purportedly written by the church to the bank manager.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Magistrate Osho Adebiyi adjourned the matter till February 25.
In another case, Magistrate J.O. Awope of Tapa Magistrate’s Court remanded three suspected pipeline vandals in prison custody.
The accused persons were said to have on December 24 last year in Alakija, Lagos conspired to commit felony, to wit: malicious breaking of the pipeline of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the area.
Prosecution counsel, Justin Enang, said this contravenes Section 3(7)(a) of the Special Tribunal (Miscellaneous) Act, 2004; punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code. http://www.independ entngonline. com/?c=117&a=9963

5 comments:

  1. Kayode,
    I agree with you that corruption is high in the African continent especially Nigeria where church and mosque is at every nook and cranny.
    But even the Bible says that judgement will start from the church.
    The Bible never hid the fact that corruption abound everywhere including the church hence the instant judgement on Ananias and Sephias in the Book of Acts. Those that choose to steal in the name of God will definately be exposed

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  2. The bible says that God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man soweth that he shall reap. I am glad that judgement will start from the house of God. Our Nigerian catholic priest today are a disgrace. They are involved everyday in cases of rape and sexual abuse. Look at Inametti in the USA, Damian Eze in Sweden. The former has been jailed for four years for having sex with prisoners. The later narrowly missed it for lack of sustantial eveidence. But his doom is near. Catholic priest today are a disgrace, they enrich themselves with church fund. Do we talk about penticostal pastors? Don't even go there. Penticostal church is a lucreative business. Is it the white garment churches? Wow!!!!!Their activities are abominable. But God will visit them one by one. They will be paid in their own coins. That is my consolation.

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  3. In your profiles, you come across as an angry bitter man, hiding behind the cloak of trying to create awareness to the people and fight injustice. Nigeria is not all bad, there is some good in her, thank God for others who potray her in a good light and are trying to improve her image. CNN, BBC and all major news channels take pride in painting us black, they never report when something good happens - its a pity that our own people, like you, join them to do same. I pray for the day that you would say something positive about home for once!
    -From a proud Nigerian

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  4. Shame on the coward who wrote anonymous 13 May spreading rumours about catholic priests. YOUR doom is near!!

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  5. Anonymous May 13th - I dont know if you have any evidence of what Mr Eze has done, but I would like to hear more about it. Please email me at gavleskog@live.se

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