An Akure Magistrate Court on Monday remanded a popular pastor in the Ondo State capital, Alfa Babatunde, who was chargrd with the kidnap of a missing boy from his church during service.
The pastor, who is the General Overseer of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Akure, was remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure, following his arraignment on Monday over his alleged involvement in the inexplicable disappearance of one-year-old child, Gold Kolawole, in his church on Sunday, November 10.
Babatunde was charged for conspiracy to kidnap and aiding kidnapping, offences which breach Section 5 of Ondo State Anti-kidnapping and anti-abduction law 2010.
He was arraigned with six other defendants including Omodara Olayinka, Margret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo, Esther Kayode and Peter Anjorin.
Specifically, Anjorin, was accused of destroying and secretly taking away vital evidence that could have aided speedy investigation in respect of the missing boy, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Criminal Code and Cap 37 Laws of Ondo State.
They were arraigned by the State Security Services and would be in prison until January 17, the next adjourned date.
The pastor was arrested two weeks ago by the SSS following a petition by the parents of the missing child who had lost hope in the police who earlier began an investigation on the matter.
Angry youth had, last Wednesday invaded the church located at Osinle area of Akure and set it ablaze over a rumour that security operatives had exhumed the corpse of the baby from the altar of the church.
The police, however, debunked the rumour.
However, the incident resulted in some deaths. The mob also burnt vehicles in front of the church, while some property was looted by suspected thugs.
Challenging his prolonged detention, Mr Babatunde through his lawyers went to the Federal High Court Akure Division, claiming he had been unlawfully detained by the SSS.
His family had also raised the alarm that his failing health had been aggravated by his detention.
The one-year-old boy, Gold Kolawole, was allegedly abducted in the church during a Sunday service in November.
The development had generated violent reactions from the residents of the town, as the church was set ablaze by some irate youths in protest against the alleged abduction.
The youths also alleged “lackadaisical attitude” on the part of the Police in their investigation of the matter.
During the violence, no fewer than three people died, including a policeman whose identity has not been revealed.
Many houses, vehicles and other property that belonged to the church were also set ablaze by the irate youths.
After the arguments from the prosecuting counsel Mr. Joshua Dada, and the defence counsel, Mr. Olusola Oke, on the bail application of the defendants, the Magistrate, Mrs. Charity Adeyanju, ordered the defendants to be remanded in Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure.
She, also adjourned the case until January 17, 2020 to enable the Department of State Services conclude their investigation into the matter.
The court also ruled that the defendants should be allowed to have access to medical treatment.
