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.
Opaleye said 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.
She said one of the sureties must be a blood relative to the defendant.
Ogunkanmi, thereafter, adjourned the matter until March 11, for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)