An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced a clergyman, Pastor John Abiodun to two years imprisonment for lying and publishing false allegation.
Pastor John Abiodun claimed that the founder of the Promiseland Prophetic Ministry, Akure, Pastor Gbenga Akinbiyi, planted seven babies’ placentas on the church’s altar.
The trial judge, Justice Bode Adegbehingbe, held that Pastor Abiodu was found guilty of committing perjury which is punishable under section 118 of Criminal code, laws of Ondo state.
But the court acquitted Professor Lanre Olu-Adeyemi of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko of allegations of aiding false publication, impersonation and conspiracy.
Delivering the over three hours judgment, the judge further ruled that Pastor John Abiodun was guilty of count 5 of the case for contradicting himself while giving evidence in the allegation against him.
These included using different church WhatsApp platforms and other social media to malign, carry out false publication and wrongly alleged the founder of the Promiseland Prophetic Ministry located opposite Shasha Market on Akure/Owo expressway, Akure, Pastor Gbenga Akinbiyi and some elders of the church of planting babies’ placentas on the church’s altar and some fetish objects.
The judge said although Pastor Abiodun was guilty of fourteen years imprisonment but tempered justice with mercy by jailing him for two years due to his aged parents and children.
Pastor John Abiodun faced eight Count charge of conspiracy, publication of false news, perjury, impersonation and threatening violence amongst other charges, but only found guilty of perjury, while Prof Lanre Olu-Adeyemi who stood trial on five (5) count charges of conspiracy, publication of false news, aiding publication of false news and aiding impersonation, was discharged and acquitted of all the charges.
Leke Adegbite
pub-5160901092443552
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