EFCC arrest a Pastor for conspiracy, Abuse of office and misappropriation of funds

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arrested a pastor identified as Omosebi Fred Adeola, for conspiracy, abuse of office, and misappropriation of funds.

The Pastor who was arraigned before Justice A.O Otaluka of the Federal High Court sitting in  Abuja was accused of allegedly diverting Church’s N15m for his Ph.D. and secretly enlisting his wife on Church’s payroll.

Adeola who is a Pastor of the Adventist Church and Country Director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency of Nigeria, allegedly diverted relief funds for himself, including paying for his Ph.D. program at Babcock University and illegally enlisting his wife on the church’s payroll.

The pastor, who was an employee and the Country Director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency of Nigeria, and a signatory to the various bank accounts of the Agency, allegedly committed the crime in December 2017, in Abuja.

Count two of the charge said being a signatory to the various bank accounts, around 13th December 2017, in Abuja, Adeola committed criminal breach of trust.

It was alleged that he first transferred N7,714,000 from the account of Adventist Development and Relief Agency of Nigeria to the account of one Ayeni Gbenga Joseph, cashed it, and then converted it into personal use.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges. And Justice Otaluka granted him bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be residents in Abuja, have a property worth N10 million, and provide the address of residence.

They are also required to provide Identity cards, passport photographs, and N3 million as Bond. The case was adjourned till September 30, 2021, for trial.