The founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Osinle, Akure in Ondo State, Alfa Babatunde, will remain in prison until February 5, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.
According to Premium Times, this was the decision of the Chief Magistrate at the magistrate court in Oke-Eda, Charity Adeyanju, on Friday at the resumed hearing of the case against the pastor.
Babatunde was charged over the kidnap of a one-year-old child on November 10, 2019, at his church.
Journalists who were at the court to cover the case were, however, walked out of the court by the judge.
A controversy began in the courtroom when the police prosecutor, Uloh Goodluck, an inspector, ordered the already seated journalists to vacate their seats without offering any reason.
The seated journalists were reluctant, arguing that the prosecutor lacked the power to evict them from the courtroom.
He then approached the judge in her chamber to make a case for the eviction of the journalists.
Mrs Adeyanju walked into the courtroom to meet the journalists waiting and immediately gave an order for all journalists to vacate their seats.
Curiously, no sooner had the journalists left the courtroom, than Babatunde arrived at the court premises alongside six workers of his church amidst heavy security at exactly 9:27 a.m.
The magistrate, who gave no reason for her action against the journalists, ordered that
Babatunde should remain at the Olokuta Correctional Facility till February 5, 2020, pending the hearing of the legal advice from the DPP.
The pastor was first remanded on December 23, 2019, by the court along with some members of his church.
He is being prosecuted by the State Security Services for complicity in the abduction of the child, Gold Kolawole, who is still missing since he was taken away from the Sotitobire church by unknown persons in November last year.
The same judge had on Wednesday remanded four persons in prison for allegedly murdering a police sergeant while participating in a mob attack on the Sotitobire church in Akure on December 18.
She sent Yusuf Owa, Adebayo Adeyemi, Adeleye Omowumi, and Adu Babatunde to the Olokuta Correction Correctional Centre on charges of murder, arson, malicious damage and stealing at Sotitobire Church.
A mob had razed the church following rumours that the body of the missing child was exhumed from the church’s altar.
The rumour turned out to be false, but the uproar resulted in the burning of the church and the killing of a police sergeant, Sheidu Ocheopo, and another civilian while the police were trying to prevent the destruction of the church property.
The trial of the four suspects was adjourned to January 20.
The court had ordered the remand of the four persons at Olokuta Correctional Service Centre over alleged murder, arson, malicious damage and stealing at Sotitobire Church in Akure, the Ondo State capital, according to The Hope.
Few weeks ago, 14 suspects were remanded in connection with the crime.
With the additional four, the total number has increased to 18 suspects at Olokuta Correctional Service Centre, over similar offences.
The defendants, are facing 6 counts charge of felony, conspiracy , murder, arson and stealing.
According to the charge, they were said to have committed the offence on December 18, 2019, at about 9:45am at Sotitobire church, Oshinle, Akure, in the Akure Magisterial District.
The alleged offences were said to be contrary to section 383 and punishable under sections 324, 516,319(1), 443(a), 451 and 390(a).
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly killed one Sergeant Sheidu Ocheopo (m), by smashing him to death with a tyre rim and stones at Sotitobire Church, Osinle, while performing his lawful duty.
They were also alleged of setting ablaze Sotitobire Church Oshinle and Ajipowo branches, including Police Hilux patrol vehicle, AK47 rifle with breach No, 4777 and some vehicles belonging to individuals valued at N2 million.
Other items that were set ablaze, according to the charge were; Toyota Siena, Range rover Jeep, Toyota venza, Toyota Camry and Lexus car valued at N250 million, belonging to Alfa Babatunde Olumoyo.
Also some church items like rug, amplifier, fans, and other valuables in the church, valued at N600,000, were said to have been stolen.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Uloh Goodluck, informed the court of his intention to move a motion on notice for the remands of the defendants at Olokuta, Correctional Service Centre.
Counsel representing the first defendant, Mr. M.O Ojo, and counsel to third and forth defendants, Mr. Afe Felix, opposed the moving of the motion, and drew the attention of the court to the fact that the motion before it was just served in the court, and that they needed some time to file their counter affidavit.
Counsel representing the second defendant, Mr. John Olowookere, did not oppose the prosecutor, moving his motion for remand.
Magistrate Charity Adeyanju, ordered that the defendants be kept at Olokuta Correctional Service Centre, pending when the prosecutor will move the motion on notice for the remand of the defendants.
She then adjourned the case till January 20.
Premium Times/ The Hope
