Sotitobire Founder, Prophet Alfa Babatunde Moves To Get Out Of Life Imprisonment Sentence

Founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Alfa Babatunde, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday, has filed additional grounds of appeal against his conviction.

Prophet Alfa had through his Counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, filed five grounds for appeal but informed the court that he added 12 other grounds.

Alfa was jailed over the mysterious disappearance of a 13-month-old boy, Gold Kolawole, from his church.

Five workers of his church, Omodara Olayinka, Margaret Oyebola , Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo and Esther Kayode were also jailed as they were found guilty of the two-count charges of conspiracy as well as aiding and abetting kidnapping preferred against them.

Justice Olusegun Odusola had convicted the accused persons based on the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution.

In the 17 grounds of appeal, Prophet Alfa said the trial judge erred in law and acted without jurisdiction for convicting him for the offence of aiding and abetting kidnapping knowing that investigation, arraignment and trial did not follow due process of law.

Prophet Alfa said he was tried and convicted in violation of his rights under the Nigeria Constitution and thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice.

He urged the appellate court to set aside his conviction as well as discharge and acquit him.

Presiding Judge, Justice Rita Nosakhare Pemu, in her ruling, gave the appellant 14 days to file an amendment to the notice of appeal.

Justice Pemu said the next date of an adjournment would be communicated to both parties.

Thenationonline.net