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Sotitobire acquittal:Akure residents react

Babatunde Ayedoju

Residents of Ondo State have continued to react on the release of Prophet Alfa Babatunde also known as Sotitobire, of Sotitobire Praise Chapel, Akure.
Recall that an Ondo State High Court on October 6, 2020 sentenced the prophet and five others to life imprisonment for the disappearance of a toddler, Gold Kolawole.
Prophet Alfa, founder of the popular church, located at Oshinle Quarters, Akure, was accused by the parents of the missing child of complicity for the disappearance of their son.
Aside Prophet Alfa, others found guilty of the offence are members of his church: Omodara Olayinka, Margaret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Motunrayo Egunjobi, Esther Kayode and Peter Anjorin.
Alfa Babatunde not satisfied with the lower court and prayed for the Appeal Court to nullify his life sentence conviction. Friday last week, the court ruled that the circumstantial evidence of the High Hour was not enough to convict him. He was therefore discharged and acquitted.
It was therefore jubilation galore for members of his church after the appellate court’s pronouncement as they trooped out into the street thanking God.
Some residents of Akure who spoke with The Hope reacted differently on the judgement.
According to Funmilayo Adewale, a business owner in Akure, she said, “So releasing the major suspect is more important than finding out what happened to the one year old boy? To the best of my knowledge, there’s something wrong with this verdict. Do you mean to tell us this is how he will go scot-free? The families of that one-year-old boy should not relent, they should take up the case to the Supreme Court.
On the contrary, Sunday Olakunle in his contribution said, “If we’re not clouded by our emotions, there’s no pointer that this man committed any crime. All I know is that emotions don’t win in courts, facts do. I hope the police will go the extra mile to unearth what actually transpired that led to the missing kid and his whereabouts. But I surely know that what a man can’t see is visible to the Almighty”
Abdul Nurudeen, a retailer, in his words said “I don’t think we will find a way forward as a country and nation if there are people who are above the law and not held responsible for their actions. I was keen with the story of the missing boy last year, and everything indicated that the boy got missing in the church premises. The person in charge of this church in person of the General Overseer should be held accountable, releasing him is not a good idea.”
“I was wondering why the church members decided to resurrect the church and pasted his pictures on billboards across town recently. They probably seem to know he’ll be free and decided to wet the ground before his return. My question is, were they aware of his freedom before every other person? We need answers because this same man was sentenced to life in prison, but now free.
Ife Johnson, a driver, said “Sometimes, the law is always blind to the truth and we have to be very careful when casting anyone. Looking at this case logically, there is no substantial evidence against this prophet, I don’t know him from anywhere neither have I met him before. The court works on facts gathered and anybody can be wrong. Now that he is a free man, a travel ban should be placed on him, so investigations can be carried out. In advanced countries investigations take months and even years to complete. Justice must prevail.”
Sade Olaiya, a businesswoman, reacted differently, she said, “Firstly, I will consider the first judgement by the high court rather harsh. Life imprisonment? That’s too much to begin with, a case with no substantial evidence? Everybody that is involved in the burning down of that church should be arrested and face trial in court for vandalism and causing disruption in the community. Yes, the kid was in the church premises but was there anything indicating that this prophet took the child? We all witnessed different things happened in the church, my phone was once stolen in the church, why didn’t I accuse the pastor of theft? I believe justice has just been served and I’m happy for him. Now the work is left to the police to find that missing boy.”
According to Omowumi Adebiyi, a civil servant, she said “When I heard the news of his release, I was shocked because I remember the story then, he was convicted of kidnapping and other charges, now he is free. Is something wrong with our legal system in this country? This is how innocent people rot in jail, not everybody has the luxury to take up cases to the appeal court, facts should be right before sentencing. This doesn’t make him a totally free man, because I’m sure investigations are still on going, I’m sure the truth will prevail very soon concerning that missing boy.”
A business owner, Olubunmi Oluwatosin in her contribution, said: “There is something more to this case. I believe there are people in power supporting this man. I guess, I might be wrong but that’s what my instinct tells me. Everybody followed up the case by then, and every evidence was pointed to the church as the number one suspect. This case shouldn’t just die down like that, we need justice for Gold Kolawole. Somebody must be held responsible, justice must be served.”
Bankole Oni, a fashion designer said, “I’m sure some illiterates are saying envelopes have exchanged hands, if you don’t know how the administration of criminal justice works why not just keep quiet, or take several seats and learn. Some courts will rush and convict an accused just to make fun of themselves at the court of appeal. Judges feel very bad when their judgements are quashed at the appeal stage. I always knew he’d be free, no concrete evidence, people were just attaching sentiments with the prophet’s case and his church doctrine, but the court doesn’t operate like that.”

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