13 remanded for arson in Ondo church

Thirteen persons were on Tuesday remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre by an Akure Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for their alleged involvement in the killing of a policeman as well as burning of Sotitobire Miracle Centre.

The accused persons, who appeared before Magistrate Charity Adeyanju, were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on murder, arson, theft and vandalism.

On December 18, youths attacked a church, which belongs to Prophet Alfa Babatunde, who was accused of being behind the mysterious disappearance of a one year old baby, Gold Kolawole.

The youths allegedly torched the church and vehicles of members after which they headed for the prophet’s home and looted belongings

The prosecuting police officer Moses Adeosun, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) prayed that the defendants be remanded at the centre pending investigation

The charge sheet read: “That you Udeme Eyo, male, Ikechukwu Njoku, male, Ayodimeji Jimoh, male, Bamisaye Ojo, male, Balogun Ayomide, male, Steve Adekunle, male, Agbi Sesan, male, Stephen Omotosho, male, Omogbolahan James, male, Ademola Aderibigbe, male, Oluwadare Rotimi, male,  Ayo Ifedayo, male, Samuel Shitu, male and others at large, on December 18, at about 9:45am, at Sotitobire Church, Oshinle, Akure, in the Ondo State Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit: murder, arson, malicious damage and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 324 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The defendants were remanded following the arguments of the prosecutor and the defence counsel, while the case was adjourned till 3rd of January  2020