Like any
other minister of God, the job of Pastor Isaiah Willie of Happy People Bible
Church in the Ayobo area of Lagos State was to preach spiritual redemption to
members of his congregation.
However,
police investigations have revealed that the 40-year-old preacher was not only
into bank fraud but was also part of an armed robbery gang.
The father
of two, who is cooling his heels in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad, told PUNCH Metro that he had been into crime for many years, adding that
he had been arrested a few years ago but was later released.
Narrating
how he and others usually perpetrated bank fraud, he said, “I used to work with
a group of guys who are retired bankers. One of them was even a bank manager.
Most times, we would get a virgin cheque of a bank customer and the owner’s
signature.
“If the
money is a large sum, the teller would contact the owner of the account on the
telephone but we would have already hacked the telephone number of the customer
such that when the bank calls the owner of the account for confirmation, it
would be one of my members that would answer the call and give approval for
withdrawal.
“We were
able to perpetrate the fraud in Fortune Bank and African Express Bank which are
both defunct now. Sometimes we, through the connivance of bank employees, used
to clean out dead people’s accounts and use the money to do business. Most
times, families of dead people don’t get to access their relative’s account
until months or years after the person’s death.”
Willie said
he was arrested by the police for his fraudulent activities but regained his
freedom when his gang members secured his release.
It was
learnt that about a year later after Willie had decided never to commit crimes,
the pastor was lured back by a gang of robbers that specialised in breaking and
stealing from Automated Teller Machines.
He said, “I
met a man who is from my hometown, Confidence Saviour. He was wanted by the
police so I told him he could live with me. A few weeks later, he told me to
drop some equipment at a nearby bush and later that night, he gave me N10, 000.
“He
eventually told me that he and his gang were breaking into ATMs and making a
lot of money so I decided to join them. I never followed them for any operation
but I usually left their operation tools -such as sledge hammer, generator and
iron cutters- near the bank where they wanted to attack and I would leave.
“However, on
one occasion, they went to rob at the Ayobo branch of Access Bank. Instead of
dropping the equipment and collecting the usual N10, 000, I wanted more money
this time around so I hid in a bush nearby. Unfortunately, the robbery did not
go as planned as three policemen were killed at the scene. I was later arrested
by SARS men when other gang members mentioned my name.”
The cleric,
who was close to tears, said he had disappointed God and urged the police to
give him one last chance, while quoting Romans Chapter 6 verse 1, he said,
“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. I know I have
disappointed my congregation and I urge them not to backslide. I have been a
preacher for over 10 years and I have led many people to God. My flesh was
weak. I know that God will forgive me for my crime because I am genuinely
sorry.”
Culled from
PUNCH NEWSPAPER
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