The
police in Lagos have commenced investigations into the death of a 67-year-old
cleric, Monday Ojajuni, who was allegedly killed by a woman, Temidayo Oladele,
in front of his church in Mile 12.
Punch
Metro learnt that the deceased, who was the
Superintendent Evangelist of Celestial Church of God, Mile 12, died during a
confrontation with Oladele over the latter’s decision to scoop some sand in
front of his church.
The
19-year-old daughter of the deceased, Oluwaseun, said she witnessed the
incident on July 19, 2013.
She
said, “The woman (Oladele) came to pack sand in front of the church and another
cleric, Assistant Superintendent Evangelist Samuel Oteghene, told her not to
pack the sand. When my father arrived at the scene, Oteghene went inside.
“But
the woman rebuffed all entreaties not to pack the sand, instead, she turned
violent and tore my father’s robe.
“My
father then told her that she would run mad within seven days. When she heard
this, she
pushed my father and he fell, hitting hit his head on the ground and
died. I reported the matter at Mile 12 Police Post. From there it was
transferred to Ketu Police Station.”
Punch
Metro learnt that members of the church had earlier
prayed for Monday with the hope that he would wake up, but to no avail.
It
was learnt it was after a medical doctor confirmed Monday’s death that it
dawned on them that he was beyond redemption.
Police
sources said Ketu Police Division had arrested Oladele, while the case had also
been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
At
the SCID, the suspect, who claimed to be 65 years, said she did not kill the
cleric. She explained that he died during a struggle with her.
She
said, “Around 11.30am on Friday, I went with a shovel to the front of the
church which is behind my house to pack some sand. I was challenged by members
of the church.
“The
pastor (Monday) started struggling for the shovel with me. The shovel tore his
clothes. He cursed me, saying that I would die within the next seven days. We
struggled until he fell to the ground and I left. I did not injure him and I
did not know that he was dead until later.”
Our
correspondent, who visited Monday’s family home on Omobanta Street, Mile 12,
observed as sympathisers condole with the family.
A
banner, hanging in front of the house, displayed the picture of the deceased.
The banner read, ‘Monday Elijah Ojajuni, 1947-2013, Rest in Peace’
The
eldest son of the deceased, Moses, described his father as an easy-going man.
He
said, “My father was fasting on that day, but he went to the church to conduct
a programme. Who would have known that that was the last time we would see
him?”
He
said his father was survived by 11 children and two wives, many of whom were
still dependent on him.
“My
father was a retired civil servant. He worked at the Lagos State Ministry of
Works for many years. He had four sons and seven daughters,” he said.
He
added that the suspect’s account of what happened on the day was not correct.
He
said, “The woman had earlier come to pack sand from the front of our church
prior to my father’s death and she had been warned not to come back.
“After
my father confronted her, he attempted to go back into the church, but she
pulled him by the cape. Because it rained on that day, the sand was slippery,
causing him to hit his head against the ground.”
Our
correspondent, who also visited the church, observed a condolence register in
front of the church gate.
The
members, however, refused to talk to our correspondent, saying they had left
everything to God.
When
contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus
Ozoani, confirmed Oladele’s arrest.
He said the matter
was being investigated at the Homicide Department of the SCID.Source: Punch
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