A Lagos-based pastor, Erinmole Adetokunbo, has been re-arraigned before the Lagos State Special Offences Court for allegedly beheading a seven-year-old boy in the Ikorodu area of the state.
Oyekanmi and Adetokunbo allegedly lured the boy from his parents’ house on Sotunyo Street to the church’s premises on Oke-Oniburokun Street, Odokekere, Ikorodu.
According to report, the police arrested the pastor for allegedly beheading a seven-year old boy and burying his head at the church’s altar.
The command’s spokesman, confirmed the arrest to reporters, saying the suspect was arrested with an accomplice.According to him, the policemen arrested one Eric, whose confession led to the arrest of the pastor and the recovery of the boy’s body.
“On investigation, one of the suspects, Eric confessed to the crime. He led a team of policemen to Odokekere/ Odogunyan in Ikorodu area to apprehend Oyekan, who later led the team to where the seven-year-old boy was beheaded and his head buried,” he said.
Adetokunbo was arraigned alongside one Adedoyin Oyekanmi on three counts bordering on conspiracy and murder.
The Magistrate, O. A. Fowowe-Erusiafe, had ordered that the two defendants be remanded in custody pending the release of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
However, after four years of being remanded in a custodial centre, the case was transferred to the special offences court, where they were arraigned afresh before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The charges read in part, “That you, Adedoyin Oyekanmi and Erinmole Adetokunbo, on June 7, 2017, around 2pm on Oke-Oniburokun Street, Odokekere, Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Ikeja jurisdiction, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: murder, thereby committing an offence.
“That you, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned jurisdiction, did kill one Kazeem Rafiu, aged seven, by cutting off his head with a cutlass, thereby committing an offence.
“That you, without lawful justification or excuse, dismembered the remains of one Kazeem Rafiu, aged seven.”
Following the pleas of the duo, Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter till November 6, 2021, for the commencement of trial.