Pastor Paul-Kayode Joash, a United Kingdom (UK)-based clergyman and Senior Pastor of The Great House Nation Church in Ibadan, has been detained in the Agodi correctional facility. Joash faces allegations of defrauding three individuals of a total sum of N305 million.
The charges against Joash claim that he collected the substantial amount from three individuals, ostensibly to facilitate work placements in the UK for those seeking employment in the healthcare sector.
According to reports, Joash charged each candidate between £3,500 and £5,500 but failed to deliver the promised certificates within a year. Authorities apprehended Paul-Kayode Joash in his church following a complaint filed by victims. It is alleged that Joash frequently traveled between Nigeria and the UK in an attempt to evade those he purportedly defrauded.
The Oyo State Police Command brought Joash before the court on a 10-count charge related to obtaining money under false pretenses, an offense punishable under the criminal code of the state.
The charges specify that Joash obtained N134,823,750 from one victim, N30 million from another, N135,177,750 from a third, and N5,881,000 from yet another victim, amounting to a total of N305,882,500.
During his arraignment on October 30 at a magistrate court in Ibadan, Joash pleaded ‘Not guilty’ to the charges. He was granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like amount, both of whom must be gainfully employed and willing to deposit their international passports. Additionally, one of the sureties is required to possess property in Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan.
The case has been adjourned to December 18 for further proceedings.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
