Pastor pleads guilty to defiling a minor

Omu-Aran (Kwara) -  An Omu-Aran Upper Area Court, Kwara, on Thursday admitted a cleric, Kunle Odafe, to N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum for allegedly defiling a minor.

Odafe, 31, a pastor who lives at Obagunke Area, Omu-Aran, had earlier been refused bail on his arraignment on April 12 on a one-count charge of gross indecent act to which he had pleaded guilty.

He was ordered to be remanded in Omu-Aran Medium Prison by the Judge Fagbemi Adeyemi for the police to conclude their investigation.

Adeyemi said the pastor’s action constituted a nuisance to the society, adding that Odafe ought to be an exemplary leader and a role model.

“How on earth will you involve yourself in such an ignoble act of defiling a girl whose life you are expected to shape?

“You are hereby remanded in prison for the police to conclude their investigation.”

Ruling on the bail application, Adeyemi said he reconsidered Odafe for bail because he was a first offender and did not waste the time of the court.

“The case of indecent act, especially when it involves a minor, is not ordinarily a bailable offence under the Penal Code.

“I granting you bail because you did not waste the time of the court and also as a first offender.

“You should therefore change your attitude for the better,” Adeyemi said.

He adjourned the case till May 7 for sentencing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Fabiyi Abiodun, had told the court that Odafe, attached to St. Moses Orimolade C&S Movement Church, Omu-Aran, committed the act between April 2 and April 9.

He said one Olajide of Obagunke Area, Omu-Aran, had on April 3 reported that a 12-year-old girl was missing.

Abiodun said police investigation led to the discovery of the girl in the custody of Odafe, who also confessed to have had unlawful carnal knowledge in contravention of Section 285 of the Penal Code.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending the conclusion of investigation into the case.

“The uncooperative attitude of the accused could jeopardise police investigation if granted bail,” he had said. (NAN)



-- Vanguard