DPP absolves Lagos pastor of murder of 12-year-old girl

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions has absolved the founder of a church, Perfect Christianity Mission, Pastor Sign Fireman, of complicity in the murder of a 12-year-old girl.

This is contained in a legal advice by the DPP to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Department, M.A.K. Smith Street, Yaba.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the legal advice, dated Feb. 27, was signed by Ms Olayide Eboda on behalf of the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye.

NAN reports that Ogoja was allegedly strangled to death by one Ikechukwu Egbo in Badagry, Lagos State on Dec. 31, 2013.

Egbo had in a confessional statement claimed that it was Fireman, who asked him to murder the girl and obtain her excreta for a N100,000 reward.

However, the DPP cleared Fireman of the crime after the conclusion of Police investigations into the incident, while Egbo was found culpable.

The DPP said the facts in the file revealed that the suspect tricked the deceased to an uncompleted building and strangled her.

“The suspect claimed he was asked to strangle a young girl and bring her excreta.

“He intended to kill the girl and he carried out his intention, but was out of luck as he was apprehended by the security guards in the building where the incident occurred.

“After a careful consideration of the facts contained in the duplicate file, this office is of the opinion that a prima facie case of murder is established against the primary suspect (Egbo) only.

“In view of the foregoing, this office shall prosecute Egbo at the state high court for the offence of murder.

“On the other hand, the second suspect (Fireman) is to be released forthwith if he is still in custody as no case is established against him,” the DPP stated.

Fireman’s counsel, Mr Peter Oboyi, told newsmen on Friday that the exoneration of his client had shown clearly that Egbo had lied against him.

Oboyi said in the course of investigations by the police it was discovered that Egbo was not close to Fireman as he claimed.

He said the young boy could not identify the street, number and colour of the house of the cleric whom he had claimed to be working for or familiar with.

In his reaction, Fireman said the DPP’s advice was not unexpected because he knew nothing about the murder.

The cleric told newsmen that he would not file any suit against the police over his arrest, adding that they were only doing their job as law enforcement agents.

He said, “This incident is the handiwork of some people who are not happy with the successes being made by our ministry.

“We started this ministry in 2009 with only four persons, but today we have over 100 branches with about 60 in Lagos.”