Man steals from church after being freed from prison on Mashujaa Day

An inmate freed on presidential clemency last week has been hauled back to court for allegedly stealing church offering.

Lucas Ngugi Njoroge was arraigned before Nyahururu Chief Magistrate Judith Wanjala yesterday.

The suspect was released from Nyahururu GK Prison on Friday after President Uhuru Kenyatta pardoned him during Mashujaa Day celebrations.

He was charged that on October 23, this year, he stole Sh900 from Ol Jabet African Independent Pentecostal Church in Laikipia West, Laikipia County.

Njoroge faced an alternative count of obtaining property through illegal means.

The court heard the accused arrived at the church for Sunday mass but during offering time, he dipped his hand into the offering basket that was being passed around and pulled out some Sh900.

 SERVICE DISRUPTED

The service was disrupted for a few minutes when a section of the congregation reportedly noticed him trying to stuff the cash in his pocket.

He was later whisked away from the wrath of the congregation by area assistant chief with the help of church leaders who escorted him to Ol Jabet Patrol Base where he was re-arrested.

The prosecutor pleaded with the court not to release the accused on bond, noting that he was a known jailbird and the public was still baying for his blood due to his action.

“The accused person was among offenders who were pardoned by President Uhuru Kenyatta during Mashujaa Day celebrations last week. He seems not remorseful for his deeds even after he was pardoned as he committed the offence barely 24 hours after he was released from the Nyahururu GK Prison where he was serving another sentence,” said Ms Alice Rugut, a prosecuting counsel.

The magistrate ordered the accused be remanded at the Nyahururu GK Remand until November 2, this year, when the case will be mentioned.