The Police State Command in Ondo on Friday arraigned a 64-year-old pastor identified as Folorunso Anifowose of the World Bible Believers’ Church and four others members of the church before a State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure for alleged kidnapping and unlawful custody of children of the Church’s members.
Other accused persons are Peter Josiah, 49, Mr Stephen Olawole, 51, Mr John Blessing, 60 and Mr Gbenga Ayembo, 56.
The police prosecutor, Olalekan Fotola, said that the accused conspired together to kidnap and have unlawful custody of four children of Elizabeth Reuben.
Mr Fotola added that the defendants also harboured the wife of Patrick Olaniyan and his children in such a manner as to prevent their parents from having access to them.
The prosecutor said that the offences are punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. Laws of Ondo State 2006.
Ruling on the alleged offences, the court’s magistrate, Rashidat Yakubu, said that she should be given time to study the case, considering the complication of religion.
Ms Yakubu ordered the accused to be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to July 18 for hearing.
NAN