Police operatives in Lagos have arrested a prophetess with the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Epe, on the out skirts of Lagos for allegedly setting her nine-year-old daughter on fire.
It was gathered that the cleric, Bose Oluwole, 37, claimed she was trying to deliver her from witchcraft. It was alleged that she committed the offence on Ijebu-Ode Road in Odomola, Epe.
Eye witnesses reported the matter to the police in Epe which rescued the victim, Damilola.
She was reportedly rushed to Epe General Hospital.
Residents alleged that the suspect poured kerosene on Damilola and set her ablaze.
Police sources said during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime, saying she set the girl ablaze in obedience to God’s instruction to cleanse her of demonic spirits.
In her alleged confessional statement, the suspect said: “I saw in my vision while praying that my daughter is from the witchcraft world. When I prayed to God over it, I received the instruction through Holy Spirit to burn my daughter’s body in order to deliver her from the evil society.”
After investigations, the suspect was charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, on a two-count charge of attempted murder.
The offence, the police prosecutor, Inspector Emmanuel Nwankpoma, said, is punishable under Sections 171 and 228 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The defendant pleaded not guilty, but Magistrate C. J. Momodu directed that the matter be transferred to Family Court 2 because of the victim’s age.
The magistrate in charge of the Family Court, Mrs. O. O. Oshin, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, till June 2 for mention.