by Oge Okonkwo

A 25-year-old pastor at the Celestial Church of Christ, Alaapa, Abeokuta, Samson Bamgbose was brought before an Abeokuta Chief  Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, for allegedly causing the death of a church member, a 13-year-old teenager, Toheeb Odusanya , who drowned during a spiritual bath.

According to the police prosecutor, Paul Etusi, the incident occurred on August 15, at about 3.00pm, at  Ogun river, Alaapa Village, Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

ASP Etusi told the court that the accused had taken some members of his church including the deceased to the Ogun river for a spiritual bath.

Leadership news reports:

“Bamgbose took the little boy to the river without his parent’s consent. He did not take the necessary precaution and allowed the boy to drown,” the prosecutor said.

Etusi said the offence contravened section 344 of the Criminal Code of Ogun, 2006.

Bamgbose,  a pastor at  the Celestial Church of Christ, Alaapa, is facing a one-count charge of negligence.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum and  adjourned the case to Oct. 2.