N620m Fraud: Absence of Prosecution Delays Arraignment of Baptist Church Pastor, Others

 

The arraignment of a former resident pastor of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, Rev. Israel Akanji, and five others over an alleged N620 million fraud was on Thursday stalled due to the absence of the prosecution counsel.

The defendants were scheduled to appear before Justice J. A. Aina of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kwali, in case number CR/1045/24, brought by the Nigeria Police.

At the commencement of proceedings, Justice Aina informed the court that the prosecution had submitted a letter requesting an adjournment, citing the lead counsel’s engagement at the National Assembly.

However, defence counsel, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), expressed surprise at the development, noting that his clients were prepared for trial. He further pointed out that the prosecution failed to formally serve the defence team with the notice of adjournment.

Akintola also reminded the court of a pending application seeking to quash the charges against the defendants.

While acknowledging that the prosecution’s adjournment request was duly filed, Justice Aina granted the request but cautioned that the defence must be officially notified of such applications moving forward.

Consequently, the matter was adjourned to May 27, 2025, for arraignment.

Rev. Akanji is standing trial alongside Rev. Thomas Ekugbene Takpatore, Mr. Babatunde Adebayo, Mrs. Adenike Adebayo, Mr. Oladele Afolabi, and Mrs. Gloria Olotu on charges of conspiracy, forgery, and criminal misappropriation of church funds.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2021 to commit a felony, in violation of Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The prosecution also alleged that between 2012 and 2021, the defendants forged an amended version of the church’s constitution, falsely attributing it to the late Barrister Akin Aina, who served as the church’s legal adviser and secretary of the Board of Trustees. This act is said to contravene Sections 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Furthermore, the prosecution accused the defendants of misappropriating N620 million belonging to the church, allegedly converting the funds for personal use—offences punishable under Sections 308, 309, 311, and 312 of the Penal Code, which address criminal breach of trust and fraudulent conversion of property.

Led by counsel Wisdom Madaki, the prosecution also claimed that the forged constitution was fraudulently used in 2022, in contravention of Section 366 of the Penal Code.