Religion

Sotitobire : Prophet Given Rousing Welcome By Congregation

By Web News 1295

The founder of Sotitobire Praising chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa has said he would not relent in praying to God to expose whoever stole Gold Kolawole in his church two years ago. 

Prophet Alfa stated this after he was given a rousing welcome by members of his church upon his release from the Olokuta correctional centre. 

The church members had converged on the church premises in Oshinle to welcome him from the olokuta prison where he had been since December, 2019 before the court of appeal sitting in Akure last week upturned the life imprisonment handed him over the case of the missing child. 

He described his travails as a conspiracy by some people and lamented that he was picked from the altar to the prison. 

Prophet Alfa who looked Fresher and fatter was released from the prison yesterday evening after perfecting his exit papers from the correctional home.

He was received at the main entrance of the correctional centre by his counsel, Mr. Akinyele Omoware, his wife, Bisola, some members of Sotitobire church, friends and well-wishers. 

Bukola Bardi

Judiciary

Sotitobire: Appeal Court Set Aside High Court Life Imprisonment Sentence

By Web News 906

The court of appeal siting in Akure, Ondo state capital has set aside the judgement of the Ondo state high court that sentenced the founder of the Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa to life Imprisonment.

An Ondo State High court handed Prophet Alfa a life jail over the disappearance of one- year-old boy, Gold Kolawole in his church in 2019.

The Sotitobire founder had asked the appeal court to nullify his life sentence conviction by the court.

The court ruled that the circumstantial evidence the high court based its judgement is not enough to convict him.

Prophet Alfa was therefore discharged and acquitted Justice Gamma Barka read the judgement on behalf of other judges.

Meanwhile, the Sotitobire praising chapel in Oshinle Akure went agog when the news of the judgement filtered in.

Radio Nigeria reporter who was around the church premises said members had arrived early in the morning offering praise and worship and well as prayers for the judgement to be in favour of their general Overseer.

The atmosphere changed to that of a carnival when the news came in the Prophet Alfa had been set free by the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure.

Bukola Bardi

Crime

Popular Akure Prophet, Sotitobire Bags Life Imprisonment over Missing Child

By Web News 1057

Justice Olusegun Odusola of the Ondo state High Court in Akure has sentenced the Founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa and 5 others to life imprisonment over the disappearance of one year old gold kolawole in the church last year.

Justice Odusola convicted the defendants having found them guilty of the two count charge of kidnapping and aiding and abetting to kidnap based on the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution.

He also condemned in strong terms the complicity, compromise, and lackadaisical attitude of the Ondo State Police Command after Gold got missing which also led the burning of Sotitobire Church.

 Dupe Isename

Judiciary

Sotitobire: Court Adjourns Hearing to 2nd of June

By Web News 1453

Hearing in the ongoing trial of the founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel Akure, Prophet Alfa Babatunde over the alleged disappearance of one year old, Gold Kolawole in the church last year, has been adjourned till 2nd June, 2020.

Justice Olusegun Odusola announced the adjournment after a state government counsel, Mr Babatunde Falodun informed the court of the inability of the state Attorney general and Commissioner for justice, Adekola Olawoye to be present due to an urgent state assignment.

Falodun, also sought an adjournment of the hearing which was not opposed by all the defense counsel, Olusola Oke, Olumide Ogidan, Akinyemi Omoware and Olalekan Akinrinsola.

Prophet Babatunde and six other church members are standing trial on three count charge including conspiracy to and abetting kidnap.

They were brought to the court by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Olokuta, Akure and made to undergo Covid 19 precautionary measures such as hand washing, use of hand sanitizers and social distancing order.

Few people including just two journalists were allowed to monitor the court proceedings in view of the social distancing order of the COVID-19.

Everybody in the court, including the Presiding judge, Olusegun Odusola wore nose masks as part of the precautionary measures.

Leke Adegbite