Court Orders Remand of Akure Prophetess for the Death of mother and infant
The Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court has decisively ordered the remand of 41-year-old prophetess Kikiowo Folashade Adekola, who has been arrested for allegedly causing the tragic deaths of Jumoke Adesuwa and her newborn baby during childbirth.
Chief Magistrate Sunday Adedapo has mandated that Adekola be placed in the Ondo Female Correctional Centre while the case file is forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further examination.
During his ruling, Adedapo stated, “I meticulously compared the defendant’s statement with the police report and the evidence linking her to the alleged crime. Adekola admitted in her statement that she lacks any valid further license to practice, aside from the one provided by a church without any government affiliation.
“It is crucial to note that the duration of seclusion observed by the deceased was unlawfully extended by the defendant. Significantly, the defendant’s counter affidavit fails to indicate any involvement in the rescue efforts for the victims after complications arose—only the deceased’s mother and husband sought assistance from an approved government institution.
“Based on these clear facts, I am overruling the objection to the remand application. There is substantial probable cause established through reasonable suspicion, and the evidence presented is compelling. Therefore, I hereby order that the defendant be remanded.”
News report was previously made on Adekola’s arrest by the police concerning her alleged role in the deaths of a 31-year-old expectant mother and her infant, who tragically bled to death after delivery in the church’s mission house.
Adekola, identified as the Pastor-in-Charge of Christ Engracing Deliverance Ministry in Akure, faces serious charges of murder and causing the deaths of the victims.
Prosecutor Inspector Nelson Akintemehin informed the court that the defendant committed the offenses around 11:30 PM at the Christ Engracing Deliverance Church mission located at Onyearugbulem Junction in the Isikan area of Akure. Akintemehin asserted that Adekola was responsible for the deaths of Jumoke Adesuwa and her male child during the delivery process at her church.
The charge sheet states, “Kikiowo Folashade Adekola, on the same date, time, and place within the specified magisterial district, caused the death of an unborn male child during delivery, thus committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 328 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
Akintemehin formally requested the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending further advice from the DPP.
In response, counsel for Adekola, O. Oladapo, filed a counter affidavit demanding that the court reject the remand application, asserting that the allegations are unfounded and designed to undermine Adekola’s rights. Oladapo emphasized that his client is a certified midwife with two decades of active practice.
He strongly urged the court to grant her bail on reasonable terms.
In conclusion, Chief Magistrate Sunday Adedapo ordered the defendant’s remand and scheduled the next hearing for April 10, 2025.
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