of Happy People Bible Church in Ayobo area of Lagos State
was to preach spiritual redemption to members of his
congregation. But police investigations have revealed that the
40-year-old pastor was not only into bank fraud but was also
part of a dangerous armed robbery gang that operate without
mercy.
The well-fed pastor and father of two, who is now in police
cell, 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."
Pastor Willie told Punch that he had been into crime for many
years, adding that he was arrested a few years ago but was
later released.
According to Punch, about a year later after Willie 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, ATM.
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."
Pastor Willie, who was close to tears, said he had
disappointed God and begged for one last chance.
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