A Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja has ordered the remand of a Celestial Church of Christ Prophets in Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Center over allegations of rape and abusing the corpses of their congregants.
The presiding judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye gave the order shortly after their arraignment by the State Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.
The three prophets who are Jacob Farinmade, Abraham Olujobi and Olatunde Taiwo were arraigned on an eight count charges.
Farinmade was arraigned on a five count charges while Olujobi and Taiwo were arraigned on a three count charges which borders on rape, unlawful detention and unlawful burial in a house.
According to the state prosecutor, Mr Olusola Soneye, the defendants who were in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ Gospel Mission at No. 15/23 Pipeline Street, Ipaja, Lagos committed the offences in 2015 in Lagos.
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“The defendants sometime in 2015, indecently cut open the corpse of Deborah Elijah for the purpose of separating her from her foetus prior to burial.
“They treated the corpse of one Olubunmi Saliu in an undignified manner by burying her in a shallow grave in the church premises,” he said.
The State prosecutor said that Farinmade while being the reverend in charge of the church, raped three women (names withheld) and unlawfully detained one of the women.
“Farinmade also authorised the burial of Deborah Elijah in an adjourning land at the Celestial Church Gospel Mission without the relevant consent of the Local Government Authority,” he said.
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The prosecutor said the offences contravene Sections 144, 165, 260 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.
He said thirteen witnesses are set to testify against the clerics on behalf of the prosecution.
When the charge was read to all the defendants, they pleaded not guilty.
Subsequently, the judge adjourned the case until December 16 for commencement of trial.
