Cleric collects N11.8m ‘bride price’ from man, gives daughter to another
Moses Emonena, a Reverend Father, with the Assembly of God Church in Warri, Delta State, who allegedly obtained the sum of N11,750,000, under pretext of giving out his daughter to one Samuel Fatai, in marriage, was yesterday remanded in prison custody by an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.
Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku ordered the remand of the 55 year-old cleric, who is facing a two count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretence, at Ikoyi Prison. The defendant was alleged to have given out his daughter to another man in marriage, after the complainant allegedly paid him the money.
The prosecutor, Henry Obiazi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between November, 2016 and March, 2017 at Egbeda area of Lagos. Obiazi said the complainant reported the incident to the Police that he had approached the defendant to give out his daughter to him in marriage and that the defendant gave him several conditions to fulfill before he could allow him marry his daughter, which he did.
He said “The complainant stated that he was shocked, after he had fulfilled all the conditions given by him by the defendant, running into N11,750,000, he gave out his daughter to another man in marriage.” According to Obiazi, the offences committed are punishable under sections 411 and 314(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the police.
Consequently Magistrate Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must be civil servants, show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State government and have their addresses verified.
Botoku also ordered that the defendant should be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison custody, until he is able to fulfil the bail conditions. She adjourned the case till 27 April, 27, 2018 for mention.
– Vanguard Newspaper
