The arraignment of Rev. Israel Akanji, a former resident pastor of the First Baptist Church in Garki, Abuja, and five others facing allegations of a N620 million fraud was delayed on Thursday due to the absence of the prosecution counsel.
The defendants were set to appear before Justice J. A. Aina at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kwali for a case designated CR/1045/24, with the prosecution being led by the police.When the case was brought before the court, Justice Aina announced that the prosecution had submitted a letter requesting an adjournment, noting that the lead counsel was occupied at the National Assembly. However, defense attorney Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) expressed astonishment at this situation, asserting that his clients were prepared for trial.
He also highlighted that the prosecution failed to properly notify the defense about the adjournment request.Additionally, Akintola brought to the court’s attention an existing application aimed at quashing the charges against the defendants.Justice Aina acknowledged that the prosecution’s request was duly filed and granted the adjournment, but cautioned that the defense must receive formal notifications regarding such requests in the future.
The case was then rescheduled for arraignment on May 27, 2025.Rev. Akanji is on trial alongside Rev. Thomas Ekugbene Takpatore, Mr. Babatunde Adebayo, Mrs. Adenike Adebayo, Mr. Oladele Afolabi, and Mrs. Gloria Olotu.
They face charges of conspiracy, forgery, and criminal misappropriation of church funds.The charge sheet indicates that the defendants allegedly conspired in 2021 to commit a felony, violating Section 97 of the Penal Code. The prosecution claims that between 2012 and 2021, they forged an amended version of the church’s constitution, falsely attributing it to the late Barrister Akin Aina, the church’s legal adviser and secretary of the Board of Trustees.
This act allegedly breaches Sections 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.Furthermore, the prosecution contends that the defendants misappropriated N620 million belonging to the church, diverting these funds for personal use—crimes that fall under Sections 308, 309, 311, and 312 of the Penal Code related to criminal breach of trust and fraudulent conversion of property.
The prosecution, represented by Wisdom Madaki, also charged that the forged church constitution was illicitly utilized in 2022, an offense punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code.
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