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Appeal Court Frees Ondo Cleric Prophet Sotitobire

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Baby Gold and Prophet Babatunde Alfa
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There was jubilation at the premises of the Court of Appeal in Akure by members of Sotitobire Praising Chapel as the church’s founder, Prophet Babatunde Alfa was set freed two years after he was taken into custody.

Prophet Alfa and five other members of the church were arrested in 2019 over the mysterious disappearance of a 13-month-old boy, Gold Kolawole, from his church.

They were arraigned on two count charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting kidnapping.

Last year, Prophet Alfa and the five church workers were sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one, which bothered on conspiracy to commit felony to with aiding and abetting kidnapping and life imprisonment on count two bothering on aiding and abetting kidnapping contrary to and punishable under the Section 5 of the Ondo State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Abduction law 2010.

One of the accused persons, Peter Anjorin, was discharged and acquitted for lack of substantial evidence from the prosecution.

Anjorin was accused of destroying evidence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the criminal code law of Ondo State 2006.

But the appellate Judge, Justice Justice Hammah Barka, held that the circumstantial evidence the lower court based its judgement on was not enough to convict Prophet Sotitobire.

The appellate court also discharged and acquitted one of the church workers, Motunrayo Ogunjobi.

It said there was no iota of evidence against her.

Ondo Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Titiloye Charles, said the State Government would study the judgement before taking action.

He said: “The Court of Appeal has decided this matter. The court has affirmed that the DSS can as a matter of fact investigate any case.

“However, the Court of Appeal has stated that circumstantial evidence upon which was based upon by the lower court is not enough to sustain a conviction of the defendant and has discharged the defendant.

“Our attitude from the state is that we will study the judgment and take a proper step we are supposed to take.”

Counsel to the appellant, Gboyega Awomolo (SAN), who was represented by Akinyemi Omoware, said truth has prevailed over falsehood.

“The Prophet was convicted on conspiracy, aiding and abetting kidnapping. The Court of Appeal has overturned that judgment.

“It was held that the appellant was not found culpable of the alleged offence. He is not guilty as pronounced upon by the trial court.

“One of the defendants who is Motunrayo Ogunjobi has equally been discharged. The court said there is no iota of evidence against her just like the Prophet, that they don’t know about the commission of the offence.

“The basis was that the prosecution has failed in its entirety to prove the element of the alleged offence. The implication of that is that they were convicted wrongly by the lower court. They have been justified by the Court of Appeal.”

Baby Gold went missing on November 10, 2019, after he was dropped at the church’s children’s department by his mother, Mrs. Modupe Kolawole.

The church of Prophet Alfa was razed down after his arrest when rumours filtered in that the corpse of the missing baby was exhumed from the church altar.

Baby Gold has never been found since 2019.

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Judiciary

Court Remands Man Over Alleged Social Media Posts Calling for Coup Against Tinubu

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a man, Paul Jibrin Oweleke, in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts calling for the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office.

Oweleke was arraigned before Justice Akintoye Aluko on a two-count charge bordering on alleged incitement and the use of a computer system to circulate content considered harmful to national security and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

According to the DSS, the defendant used his online platform, “Oweleke TV,” to publish broadcasts allegedly urging the Nigerian military to overthrow President Tinubu in a manner similar to military takeovers witnessed in some West African countries.

The security agency told the court that the broadcasts were capable of inciting public unrest, encouraging disaffection against the government, and undermining democratic governance in the country.

When the charges were read to him, Oweleke pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, counsel for the DSS requested that the defendant be remanded pending the commencement of trial.

However, the defence counsel informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.

After hearing both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned the case until June 16, 2026, for the hearing and determination of the bail application.

The court further ordered that Oweleke remain in DSS custody pending the outcome of the bail proceedings.

The case comes barely two months after the Federal Government arraigned six other suspects over allegations of plotting to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration.

This version is suitable for newspaper, online news, or broadcast use.

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Judiciary

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Properties Linked to Timipre Sylva

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Timipre Sylva
Timipre Sylva
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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties allegedly linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court held that the properties, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, should be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the determination of a motion for final forfeiture.

Justice Egwuatu also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in at least two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the ruling. Interested parties were given 14 days to appear before the court and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.

The case was adjourned until May 25 for a compliance report.

According to the EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, the commission sought the order on the grounds that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.

The affected properties are located in Abuja districts including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Mpape, and Dakibiyu.

The properties include residential apartments, duplexes, terraces, and office complexes, including a structure currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Sylva has also been linked to allegations surrounding a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, although no formal charge has been filed against him in relation to the allegation.

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Judiciary

Plateau Govt Arraigns Suspects Over Anguwan Rukuba Killings, Charges Them With Terrorism

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The Plateau State Government has arraigned several suspects allegedly linked to the deadly Anguwan Rukuba attack, a tragic incident that claimed over 30 lives and sparked widespread outrage across the state.

The suspects, who were apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were brought before the Plateau State High Court in Jos on multiple charges bordering on terrorism and conspiracy.

The arraignment took place before Justice Gidelia Fomyong and Justice Jacob Longden in Courts 12 and 9 respectively, drawing significant public attention as grieving families and concerned residents continue to demand justice.

According to the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, who filed the charges, the accused persons allegedly violated provisions of Sections 269 and 270 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The defendants include Isa Umar Ibrahim and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim from Riyom Local Government Area; Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, from Jos North Local Government Area; and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, also from Jos North. Another suspect, Ado Ibrahim from Riyom, is currently at large.

In the charge sheet presented before the court, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired on March 28, 2025, in Farin Gada, Jos North, to plan, organize, and finance the attack in Anguwan Rukuba.

They were further accused of facilitating and contributing resources that led to the violent assault on the community.

The prosecution maintained that the attack resulted in the deaths of more than 30 people, describing the actions of the suspects as acts of terrorism under the state’s penal laws.

The suspects were reportedly arrested between April 3 and April 10, 2026, following investigations by security operatives.

The Anguwan Rukuba killings had heightened tensions across Jos and surrounding areas, prompting calls from civil society groups and residents for swift justice and improved security measures.

For families who lost loved ones, the court proceedings signal the beginning of a long-awaited quest for justice. Observers note that the outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications for security and accountability in Plateau State.

The case has been adjourned to a later date for further hearing, as the court begins the process of examining the charges and evidence presented by the prosecution.

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