By Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
THE founder of D’Marriage Centre, Bishop Godspower Osaro, and an accomplice, Barinaa Saneh, were charged at the Nchia Magistrate Court in Eleme Local Government Area on Thursday for stealing school desks, chairs, panels, fittings, and other office equipment valued at ₦25 million from Community Primary School in Alesa, Eleme, Rivers State.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count criminal charge. The magistrate, Mrs. Kevin Chinaka, admitted them to bail, stipulating that they must meet conditions including a bail bond of ₦9.5 million each.
The bishop and his accomplice had allegedly broken into the school last month and made off with a new supply of desks. The furniture had been provided for the school by the immediate past Administrator of Eleme Local Government, Dr. Obo Dibiah.
Dr. Dibiah had pledged to supply the desks after visiting the school and finding pupils sitting on the bare floor during lessons. This was after desks originally provided by the Rivers State Government under the Amaechi administration were stolen by unknown persons.
Although she could not fulfil the promise while in office, Dr. Dibiah kept her word within two weeks of leaving her post. However, barely a fortnight after the brand-new desks were delivered, thieves broke in and carted them away.
The school’s headmistress alerted the President of the Alesa Youth Council, Mr. Frank Obele, who mobilised his members and the Alode Youth Council to search for the missing furniture.
They traced the desks to Bishop Osaro’s church, where the seats had been broken up and the iron stands removed and set aside. Other office equipment was also found on the church premises.
During interrogation, Bishop Osaro allegedly confessed that Barinaa was his accomplice. Both were arrested and handed over to the police at the Eleme Divisional Headquarters, leading to their court appearance on Thursday.
A mild drama unfolded outside the courtroom after the hearing. The police prosecutor stated the bishop would not be taken to prison as he had met the bail conditions. However, community and school representatives present contested this, alleging that contrary to the magistrate’s orders—which required a surety to provide evidence of the bail bond and be a senior government official—the bond had been signed by the bishop’s father with no proof of funds.
The bishop and the other accused were later driven away in a white bus, purportedly to be taken into prison custody.
What's your reaction?
