SOTITOBIRE: Deji Is Not Complicit - Palace

The Palace of Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi has debunked every insinuation that the monarch was complicit in the abduction of a one year old baby boy, Gold, from Sotitobire Church, Akure. The abduction of the baby has caused riffles which has led to the destruction and burning down of the Church edifice. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Monarch, Michael Adeyeye, the Monarch only intervened when the issue was brought before him and has since handed off the case which is in the hands of law enforcement agencies now. 

The statement reads:

The Sotitobire saga and the missing child.

The attention of the Palace has been drawn to the ugly incident of Wednesday, 18th December, 2019 in Akure which resulted in arson and alleged killing of three Persons.


The mob action, according to reports, was precipitated by a false news story to the effect that the remains of a one year old boy alleged to have been kidnapped in the premises of Sotitobire has been exhumed from the Church.


Ordinarily, the Palace would have refrained from commenting about the incident and allow law enforcement agents to do their job, but for the rumour that trailed the mob action which has necessitated this statement to clear the air on allegation of complicity by the Palace in this unfortunate incident.


It is on record that the parents of the missing child had protested to the Deji's Palace on Tuesday 12th November, 2019 seeking the intervention of the Monarch.

Undoubtedly, the Deji quickly intervened and constantly followed up on the case to ensure that Justice is served by inviting the General Overseer of the Church, the Parents of the Child and the teachers at the children section. The Deji equally urge the security agencies to carry out a through and discreet investigation in order to unravel the mystery surrounding  the disappearance of the child and bring perpetrators to book.


 It is therefore unreasonable, illogical and a total falsehood to allege the Monarch of Complicity and attempt to pervert the course of justice. This is a blatant lie from the pit of hell and an attempt to denigrate the revered stool of the Deji.


It is laughable and barbaric that some faceless individuals also claim that His Majesty received a huge sum of money to push for the release of the cleric and also compromise the investigators. This remains a figment of the imagination of whoever is behind the rumor. We challenge anyone with such evidence to provide it.


We deeply frown at any attempt to bring the revered institution into disrepute by these rumor mongers for any reasons. We urge the good people of Akure kingdom and the general public to disregard such satanic rumor from these faceless and wicked individuals.

The Kabiyesi will not in any way be part of any attempt to prevent the law from taking its due course. As a man who believes in justice and equity, he will not be involved in any shady dealings under any guise. It is therefore wrong for anyone to drag the Deji into such matter which is criminal in nature with the intent of disrupting investigation. This is malicious with no iota of truth.


His Majesty is ever ready to support any move that will to help to find the missing child, unravel the mystery and bring any person or group of person involved to book.

The Palace wish to enjoin the Security agencies to expedite action on their investigation in the search of the child, as our confidence is unshaken in their ability to do justice without fear or favour.


We urge our people to refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations that could jeopardize the ongoing Investigation but only lead to unnecessary incitement.


We are confident that evil cannot triumph over good and our heartfelt sympathy and prayer is with the family of the missing child.

Adeyeye Michael
Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure

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