By Adebisi Fatima Sogbade
A cleric, Olatunde Alao, 63, on Monday, appeared before an Iyaganku Chief
Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, charged with negligence leading to the death of a 6-
year-old girl within his church premises.
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a charge of
negligence, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye alleged that the incident happened on Dec. 27,
2025, at the defendant’s church premises at Adogba area of Ibadan, adding that the
cleric negligently failed to cover a well in the church premises and one Ademide
Adewale, aged six years, fell into it.
He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 344 of the Criminal
Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Defence Counsel, Mr Femi Kasumu, applied for bail on liberal terms for his
client.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to N1
million bail, and with two sureties in like sum, saying one of the sureties must be a
blood relative to the defendant.
Ogunkanmi, thereafter, adjourned the matter until March 11, for hearing.
