The pastor of Christ Salvation Divine Ministries International, Rev Godwin Godwin, has been arraigned before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Oshodi for alleged forgery of documents and illegal sale of a plot of land at the Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1.

Godwin allegedly sold the plot of land identified as Block 108, Plot 8, belonging to one Mrs Halima AbdulMalik.

Following the alleged sale of the land, AbdulMalik addressed a petition to the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land-grabbers through a law firm, Paul Onyeka & Co.

Our correspondent learnt that upon the receipt of the petition, an investigation was launched into the matter and Godwin was arrested on Thursday, June 24, 2021.

Godwin was subsequently charged with six counts before magistrate Michael Olubi.

The suspect was accused of conspiracy to commit felony contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015; self-help in the recovery of possession; and engaging in acts inconsistent with AbdulMalik’s proprietary right contrary to Section 2(2) of the Lagos State Properties Law, 2016; and threat of violence in the recovery of possession of landed property belonging to AbdulMalik contrary to Section 3 (1) of Lagos State Properties Law, 2016.

Others are the illegal sale of land belonging to AbdulMalik and fraudulently converting the sum of N230m, being the proceeds from the sale, to his personal use, contrary to Section 8 (1) of the Lagos State Properties Law, 2016, and Section 280 (1b) of the Lagos State Criminal Justice Law, 2015; and forcefully entering into the landed property and maliciously destroying the gate and fence.

Godwin pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his counsel urged the court to grant him bail in liberal terms.

The prosecutor, Ruqayat Shomade, did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to impose conditions that would make the defendant available for trial.

Olubi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N25m with two sureties in like sum.

He added that the sureties must be resident in the state and one of them must be a landowner in the state, while the other must be at least a grade level 8 public servant or a manager in a reputable company.

He adjourned the matter till July 22, 2021, for trial.