Missing child in Akure Church: Court Bars Journalists From Covering Prophet Babatunde Trial

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure.

Journalists who were at the Court 2 of the Oke-Eda Magistrates’ Court on Friday in Akure, Ondo State to cover the ongoing trial of a Prophet, Alfa Babatunde were sent out of the court by Magistrate Charity Adeyanju.

It would be recalled that Prophet Babatunde, founder of the Sotitobire Miracle Centre, is currently standing trial for allegedly kidnapping a one-year-old boy, Gold Kolawole in his church on November 10, 2019, which led to his remand on December 23, 2019, at the Correctional Facility.

Drama ensued in the courtroom when the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Uloh Goodluck who was attached to the court ordered the already seated journalists to vacate their seats without any cogent reason.

Following the response of the journalists who argued that the prosecutor lacked such power, Inspector Goodluck approach Magistrate Adeyanju in her chamber to convince her on his earlier stance.

With the journalists waiting for the commencement of the proceeding, Magistrate Adeyanju who walked into the courtroom ordered all journalists in the courtroom to vacate their seats.

Shortly after journalists left the courtroom, Prophet Babatunde was brought into the court premises alongside six workers of his church amidst heavy security at exactly 9:27 am.

The Magistrate who gave no reason for her action against the journalists ordered that Prophet Babatunde should remain at the Olokuta Correctional Facility till February 5, 2020, pending the hearing of the legal advise from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

With the Magistrate’s order, Prophet Babatunde will continue to be in detention of Olokuta Correctional Service facility in Akure pending the issuance of hearing notice.

He was charged alongside six others on six counts of felony, conspiracy, and kidnapping.