A 58-year-old pastor identified as Sam Ekeh, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing the sum of N16 million.

Ekeh was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, perverting the cause of justice and theft.

The prosecutor, ASP Anyanwun Godwin told the court that the 58-year-old alongside others now at large committed the offences between November and December 2013 at Fareast Mercantile Company Limited at Plot 721, Ademola Street in Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the accused stood as a referee for a man identified as Lawrence Njoku at the company saying that he was a man of integrity fit to work.

“ Njoku turned out to be a fraud and he has absconded with the company’s N16 million.’’

Godwin noted that the offences contravened Sections 97(1), 409 and 413 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

When the charges were read Ekeh however, pleaded not guilty.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mr F. A. Ojo, consequently granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ojo adjourned the case till August 24 for trial.