“How on earth will you involve yourself in such an ignoble act of defiling a girl whose life you are expected to shape?” Justice Adeyemi Fagbemi asked Pastor Kunle Odafe of the St. Moses Orimolade C&S Movement Church, Omu-Aran in Kwara State, on Thursday.
Thirty-one year old Odafe, facing charges of unlawful sexual acts with a minor, had plead guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecutor, police Inspector Fabiyi Abiodun, Odafe committed the act between April 2 and April 9, after which a certain Olajide of Obagunke Area, Omu-Aran, reported that a 12-year-old girl was missing.
Abiodun said police investigation led to the discovery of the girl in the Pastor Odafe’s custody.
The C&S pastor was then remanded in Omu-Aran Medium Prison while police investigations lasted.
“You are hereby remanded in prison for the police to conclude their investigation,” Justice Adeyemi had said. On Thursday, however, the court admitted the culprit to a N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Adeyemi said he reconsidered bail because Odafe was a first-time offender who did not waste the time of the court, adjourning the court till May 7 for sentencing.
“The case of indecent act, especially when it involves a minor, is not ordinarily a bailable offence under the Penal Code.
“I’m granting you bail because you did not waste the time of the court and also as a first offender.
“You should therefore change your attitude for the better,” Adeyemi said.