The General Overseer of Whole Bible Believer Church, Ondo, David Anifowose, and four other pastors has been arraigned on a 10 count charge of kidnapping and unlawful harbour on Friday before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for alleged kidnapping.
Recall that last week, security operatives and youths had forcibly removed a total of 77 persons including 26 children from the basement of the church, fasting and praying as they awaited the second coming of Jesus Christ in September this year.
Many of the children, some of whom were undergraduates in various universities, and also married women had left their husband to stay in the basement.
Police prosecutor, Augustine Omhenimhen, told the court that the pastors unlawfully imprisoned the children of one Elizabeth Reuben and stopped their parents from gaining access to them.
He said the pastors unlawfully deprived the church members of their freedom against their will and also placed them in a dehumanizing environment which made them prone to diseases.
The accused persons were also alleged to have assaulted, resisted and willfully obstructed Inspector Rotimi Ogunji who was on lawful duty at the church’s premises.
Other charges were unlawful taking away of underage girls from the protection of their parents without their permission.
They however pleaded not guilty to the charges.