The Lagos State police command has arrested a pastor for allegedly defrauding a widow who was paid her late husband’s gratuity.
Pastor Franklin Chinedu with the Moutain of Fire Ministry in Oshodi District deceived his victim, Charity Onje Isaac, through a false prophecy and she lost the N850,000 that was paid by her late husband’s employer, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
It was gathered from the victim that Chinedu asked her to give him the money as he was divinely directed by God. She obediently gave him the money but later realised that she had been duped.
Surprisingly, when she went to the pastor’s house she discovered that he had moved out from the apartment to another rented three bedroom flat.
Narrating the scamming incident to PM News, the widow said she met Chinedu who told her about the death of her husband and the gratuity.
The pastor, according to her, said a serious prayer was needed so that FAAN can release her husband’s money.
When the money was eventually released, Chinedu invited her and told her that God said she should give him the money.
Charity who couldn’t explain what came over her handed the money to him. She said she realised what happened when she had no money to feed the family, and she started looking for the pastor and then reported to the church what happened.
The matter was reported to the police who arrested Chinedu and charged him to court for fraud.
Chinedu who pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned said he prayed for the woman and the money was paid and he borrowed the money from her but was unable to raise money to pay her back.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr. Akeem Fashola granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.