32-year-old Samuel Obedi, a pastor from Hope Tabernacle Ministry in Gulu City, has been ordered not to step a foot in Gulu City’s main market by authorities for theft of Shs1.3 million.
This is after Pastor Obedi was netted yesterday morning for picking Shs1.3m from the drawer of his colleague, Charles Lukwiya.
According to the story on the independent news, Obedi was spotted by Yasin Onekalit, who was waiting for Lukwiya outside his lock-up when Obedi sneaked in and pocketed the money.
Onekalit says that he immediately notified Ford Onyegu, the head of security in the market, prompting Obedi’s arrest.
Upon his arrest, Obedi pleaded guilty and produced the money, claiming that he was possessed by Satan when he stole it. Both Obedi and Lukwiya are dealers in general merchandise.
Patrick Omaya, the chairperson of Gulu Main Market, says that they immediately convened for disciplinary action as required by their constitution. He says that the disciplinary committee convicted the pastor on his own plea of guilt.
He was fined Shs 200,000, which he paid immediately, and ordered not to step foot in the market for a period of three months, effective immediately, or risk arrest.
Omaya claims that Obedi contravened Article 4 of the constitution of Gulu Main Market, which states that, “any vendor found guilty of theft or promoting the vice in the market will be suspended out of the market for 3 months and pay a penalty of 200,000 shillings.
Samuel Okello, a senior pastor at Hope Tabernacle Ministry, says that they were not happy with the actions of their colleague and that he will also face their disciplinary committee. Lucy Alum, a pastor from New Life Ministry, asked fellow preachers to lead their flocks instead of perpetrating sins.