Crime News
Pastor Arrested For Armed Robbery & Fraud In Lagos Asks Church Forgiveness
Feb 18, 2014 – Nigerian Pastor Arrested For Armed Robbery & Bank Fraud In Lagos Asks For Forgiveness From Church Members
Pastor Isaiah Willie Of Happy People Bible Church Urged Members Not To Backslide
Just like any other pastor, Isaiah Willie, the founder of Happy People Bible Church located in Ayobo, Lagos was planning to preach to his congregation when he was captured.
According to police findings, the 40-year-old pastor wasn’t only a fraudster, he was also an armed robber.
The married father of 2 who is now in police custody confessed to PUNCH that he had been an armed robber for many years.
Pastor Isaiah said he was arrested some years back and later let go.
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.
PUNCH Metro 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 pastor who was crying in police detention said he had disappointed God. He begged police to give him another chance.
He even quoted Romans chapter 6 verse 1.
“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.” – Isaiah Willie said
Lord have mercy on us o!
[Source: PUNCH METRO]
red
February 18, 2014 at 4:07 AM
Che!, what a pastor. I don’t know whether to laugh at the pastor or curse him,still can’t help laughing so loud.che!, Baba God works in a mysterious way.
Bobola Osagie
February 18, 2014 at 4:49 AM
The name of a church speaks volume about the founder
Imagine Happy People. That name was borrowed from Ayuba song
He’s probably a fan of the singer
People like him will use juju to bring people to his church
Who knows he might have sent robbers to few of his church members
burkina faso
February 18, 2014 at 6:16 AM
wao! This is a pathetic story and a big lesson to every reader. Some men of God are sign posts; directing people to their destinations, but remains at a place. Pastor was making people friends of God, but he himself is not. Being religious is different from being spiritual. I pray that your flesh should suffer a little, but may nothing happen to your soul— Amen.
suleiman
February 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM
GOD…… what is this world turning into?? a pastor…!!! na wa oh!
chioma
February 18, 2014 at 6:59 AM
ooooo my god pastor what do u think ur doin befor am happy u confees u sin to god and my god will forgive u if u will change pastor use the money to the poor
pwince(omo-oba)
February 18, 2014 at 7:21 AM
you shouldn’t be caught before you repent of your sins, now that you’re caught then you need to face the consequences, when you get to heaven explain the verse you just mentioned there, please don’t spoil the Christendom…
Prophet Gbenga Rotimi " KINI IWO NFE"
February 18, 2014 at 7:56 AM
The Rose of sharon, Jehova El-Shaddai, Elohim and I Am that I Am, I adore and Praise you Daddy.
Good morning, Nigerian.
The word of GOD say’s ” If iniquity be in your hand,put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tents”.
AM not here to judge anybody because human being are not complete.
Let pray with him Nigerians, Father in jesus name, your word say’s ” joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance”, Lord, we ask for your forgiveness in all our sins with and give him the heart of repentance that will make him not to go and sin again in jesus name(AMEN).
A message for him, go and sold all what you get in darkness way and take it to do something meaningful in life of motherless children and orphan not in donation please, then start a newly life and you will what the lord will do in your life. Peace been unto you.
* 08038433483 #
Bolaji
February 18, 2014 at 8:20 AM
God hav mercy, becos of de wordly tins u want 2 lose ur eternity ,l pray de mercy of God thru his son Jesus christ stil b suficient 2 redeem ur sin.
chichi
February 18, 2014 at 9:16 AM
May God help us
Otibe emmanuel otibe
February 18, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Whatever a man sow that shall he reap if really he is found guilty the so-called pastor desired to die, he should be kill like those people he forstracte their lives
T
February 18, 2014 at 2:24 PM
The end is near, people should beware the churches they go to,despite this people will still run after miracle.
Who knows how many more pastors like him out there.
obembe olusola
February 18, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Man of God. May God have mercy
adex
February 18, 2014 at 8:43 PM
many of this so call pastors are robers rougs ,ex convite the know the weekness of nigerians just tel them miracle and name of jesus christ the church will full all because of ignorance
just look around you everywhere na churches
Ewona,sunday Ekem
February 18, 2014 at 10:05 PM
Signs of the last days.
mrs ohio alias mrs ERANKO
February 18, 2014 at 10:19 PM
I THINK HE SHOULD BE LOCKED UP AT GUATANAMOH BAH PRISON, BECAUSE HE MAY ALSO BE AN AGENT FOR THE SADIST SELLING HUMAN PART, KILLING HIS CHURCH MEMBERS.
Aiyekooto
February 19, 2014 at 3:39 AM
Why are people still calling this man a Pastor? In Nigeria, the title of “Pastor” has now joined the likes of other fanciful titles like Chief, Ogbuefu, Otunba, Aremo, Alhaji, Evengelist, Apostle etc. It’s now easy for anyone to award themselves any of these titles, with a few complimentary cards to show for it. Just because anyone can rent a building and erect a sign-board does not make such people Pastors. Pastors go to the seminary and are trained to lead congregations! We should not call such fake men as this character a Pastor anymore after he has been unmasked. He should be called a thief, armed robber and a fake Pastor
mrs ohio alias mrs ERANKO
February 19, 2014 at 11:37 AM
DEAR ALL,
AS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SOMEONE DIED FOR OUR SIN ,ONE MILLION YEARS AGO.
I AM THINKING, THAT WE NEED SOMEONE ELSE TO DIE FOR OUR SIN FOR THIS TWENTY CENTURY. IN ORDER TO PUT FULL STOP TO ALL THESE SINNERS OF TWENTY CENTURY.
BECAUSE IT SEEMS AS IF THE FIRST PERSON WHO DIED FOR OUR SIN BEFORE, HAS NOW DUMP US ALL INTO THE PIT, AND HIS DATE IS NOW, OUT DATED .
SO,WE NEED SOMEONE TO COME FORWARD , SOMEONE WHO WILL BE THE NEXT MESSIAH ? TO DIE FOR OUR TWENTIETH CENTURY SIN . HA HA OH MY GOSH, AHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
SO,MAY I KNOW WHO IS READY TO DIE FOR OUR SIN NOW , PLEASE COME FORWARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ,BEFORE THE BOKO IRANU AND WITCHES AND WIZARD KILL US ALL.
ARE YOU THE NEXT MESSIAH FOR TWENTY CENTURY ????????????????? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OLUGBALA, TO HELP US DRIVE AWAY THE FAKE PASTOR AND BOKO HARRAMUUUU IGNORAMUS. UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU AH OH MY GOSH, HAAAAA
MY COMMENT ALWAYS HAVE A, V LEG, AND K LEG.
MY REGARDS TO WHO EVER WISH, AND READY TO COME FORWARD , AS OUR NEW MESSIAH. HA , UM HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. THANK YOU, I WILL BE WAITING CALMLY TO RECEIVE YOU AS OUR NEW MESSAIH.
adex
February 19, 2014 at 8:37 PM
madam
am ready but first make people buy me
1-a masion because i want to life like oyedepo and other goc
2-jet like oyedepo and order goc
3-church that can entertain i million servant at a time
then i will think on your demand
for me its one of who has been eating people money surpose to be
nest messair
abi are they not enjoying peoples money?
ms ohio ERANKO
February 22, 2014 at 11:03 PM
I THINK WE SHOULD CALL ON OYEDEPO, AND CHRIST OYAKILOME, AND JB JOSHUA, AND OBAMA,
THIS ISSUE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOOK INTO. AS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT
SOMEONE DIED FOR OUR SIN, BUT INSTEAD OF PEOPLE TO STOP BEING A SINNER , THEY BECOME MORE DIABOLICAL.
red
February 21, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Adex,how will i get the form to fill as your four-runner?,Am also interested in saving your property and money when you start saving the world.I only deal with joint account incase i have to make some payment when you are there.
Elejade christopher festus
September 12, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Speechless, i still doubt your confession, what have you being preaching since past Ten years you join the ministry.? thou shall not steal..? And your you know you are a robber.. What an hypocritical life. I just pray for mercy for you if actually you have repented..