Francis
Taiwo, a cleric who chained his 9-year-old son for several weeks, has given
reasons for his action.
Mr.
Taiwo, pastor of the Key of Joy Celestial Church, was arrested on Sunday after
initially evading law enforcement authorities. His son, Korede, was rescued on
Friday from the church premises where he was chained and appeared malnourished.
Narrating
his case to the police, Mr. Taiwo reportedly said he took the action because he
believed his son was possessed with a ‘stealing spirit’ known in Yoruba
language as ’emi ole’
‘I
chained my son because I felt he is possessed and I’m not comfortable with his
stealing habit,” a police source present during his interrogation quoted the
suspect as saying.
He
also told officials that he married Korede’s mother who bore four children for
him before their divorce in 2007.
He
said the victim’s mother, Marine Taiwo, was from Delta State and that Korede’s
siblings were not living with him.
The
40-year-old suspect, who hails from Benin Republic, said he was born in Ota
Town of Ogun State. He said he rose to be a pastor in the Celestial Church,
CCC, and was ordained in 2012.
The
Church has already distanced itself from the controversial pastor.
“All we
can say is that the man is not a registered – or recognized – pastor in the
CCC,” a church official sent from the Lagos headquarters told journalists on
Saturday.
The
police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the suspect’s interrogation
to Premium Times, said he would be prosecuted once investigation is completed.
Korede’s stepmother is still in police custody for her alleged role in the
boy’s ordeal.
- Premium
Times
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