By Adeoye Olanrewaju
It all ended in tears for Prophet Samuel Babatunde also known as Alfa Babatunde today as an Ondo State High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment over the disappearance in November 2019 of a one-year-old boy Gold Kolawole in his church.
The popular pastor was arrested on December 10, 2019 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a petition by the
parents of the missing child. Gold Kolawole was declared missing in the children’s church of Sotitobire Praising Chapel after he was
dropped by his parents while fellowshipping in the church.
Gold Kolawole has never been found.
While delivering judgement, Justice Olusegun Odusola convicted Prophet Babatunde alongside six others including Omodara Olayinka, Margaret
Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo, Esther Kayode and Peter Anjorin on the six counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.
The accused were convicted based on ‘circumstantial evidence’ produced by the prosecution. The judge also strongly condemned the lackadaisical attitude and compromise of the Ondo State Police Command
after the disappearance of the boy was reported.
