A suspected thief, Chinedu Samuel, has reportedly turned deaf and
dumb after he allegedly stole money at a Lagos Catholic Church.
Samuel became ‘deaf and dumb’ after he was arraigned at an Ejigbo Magistrates’ area court on Saturday.
A mild drama started when the suspect was brought before the court for stealing money at Christ the King Catholic Church.
After the court registrar read his charge, Samuel started
demonstrating with his hands and pretended to be impaired and did not
take his plea.
The presiding judge, Akeem Fashola, however, ordered him to be remanded in prison custody since he refused to talk.
When Samuel heard the order and realized that he was being sent to
the prison, he started talking and pleaded with the court for leniency
to the amusement of the litigants present in court, by then it was
already late.
The suspect was arrested by the Police at Shasha Division for
stealing N31, 000 belonging to a female worshiper, Mrs Josephine Mofe.
He later confessed at the court that he pretended to be deaf and dump
so that Magistrate Fashola could have pity on him and release him.
He later said he wanted to take his plea but the prison officials had
moved him into the awaiting vehicle enroute to the prison where he will
stay pending when he will be allowed to take his plea.