Korede's father who blindly chained him to a stake for weeks with no clear record of feeding has opened up on the reason behind his action.
Korede (son) and his father, Francis Taiwo respectively
Francis Taiwo, a cleric , has given reasons for his action.
Mr. Taiwo, pastor of the Key of Joy Celestial Church, was arrested on Sunday after initially evading law enforcement authorities. His son, Korede, was rescued on Friday from the church premises where he was chained and appeared malnourished.
Narrating his case to the police, Mr. Taiwo reportedly said he took the action because he believed his son was possessed with a 鈥榮tealing spirit鈥� known in Yoruba language as 鈥檈mi ole鈥�
鈥業 chained my son because I felt he is possessed and I鈥檓 not comfortable with his stealing habit,鈥� a police source present during his interrogation quoted the suspect as saying.
He also told officials that he married Korede鈥檚 mother who bore four children for him before their divorce in 2007. He said the victim鈥檚 mother, Marine Taiwo, was from Delta State and that Korede鈥檚 siblings were not living with him.
The 40-year-old suspect, who hails from Benin Republic, said he was born in Ota Town of Ogun State. He said he rose to be a pastor in the Celestial Church, CCC, and was ordained in 2012.
The Church has already distanced itself from the controversial pastor.
鈥淎ll we can say is that the man is not a registered 鈥� or recognized 鈥� pastor in the CCC,鈥� a church official sent from the Lagos headquarters told journalists on Saturday.
The police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the suspect鈥檚 interrogation to a news correspondent, said he would be prosecuted once investigation is completed. Korede鈥檚 stepmother is still in police custody for her alleged role in the boy鈥檚 ordeal.
Credit: Premium Times