Pastor arraigned over death of church member during spiritual bath

A 25-year-old pastor, Samson Bamgbose, was, yesterday, arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrate Court, Isabo, Ogun State for allegedly causing the death of a church member, who drowned during a spiritual bath.

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

The police prosecutor, Mr Paul Etusi, told the court that the offence was committed on August 15 at 3p.m. in Ogun River, Alaapa village, Abeokuta.

He said the accused took some church members, including the deceased, Toheeb Odusanya,13, to the river for spiritual bath.

“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.

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 till October 2.