The Founder and General overseer of the Great Tabernacle Miracle Church of God, Aga area of Ido Osun, Egbedore local government area of Osun State, Prophet Adeyemi Adeniran, was on Friday arranged at the Federal High Court sitting in osogbo, the state capital, by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, on a 12-count charge bordering on sexual exploitation, deceit and trafficking in persons.
Prophet Adeniran, also known as Baba Lesekese, was present in court and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to his hearing.
After listening to an oral application by counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Adeniran, the presiding judge, Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel granted bail to Prophet Adeniran on the grounds that he had earlier been granted an administrative bail by NAPTIP.
Justice Emmanuel later adjourned the case till January 31st for commencement of trial.
Speaking to newsmen after the proceedings, prosecution counsel, A.O Amodi assured that justice will be served and expressed confidence in a diligent prosecution when trial begins.
“The matter is still very fresh in the court, it’s before my Lordship and when you file a suit, all you need to do is to wait for the conclusion of that matter. We’re gradually proceeding to the trial proper. So I don’t have much to say.” She said.
“It’s before my Lord, all we need to do is to present our fact.”
On the other hand, defense counsel, Abiodun Adeniran said the defense would file for bail before the commencement of the trial.
The case has been adjourned to the 31st of January, 2022.
Prophet Adeyemi Adeniran who is also an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service was in September last year accused of sexual abuse and labour exploitation by some female members of his church.
The females are believed to have been under molestation since their teenage years. According to one of the victim (name withheld), the prophet had on different occasions made them undergo abortions.
He, however denied all the allegations, describing it as works of those targeting at his ministry.
Watch the confession of the victims and his reaction in these videos;
