By Abimbola Ogunnaike
One of the assistant pastors of Celestial Church of Christ, Grace of Comfort Parish, Omitoto, in Osun State named Lekan Ogundipe, has been arrested by the State police Command over alleged murder of the Pastor in Charge the church, Moris Fadehun.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, 27 February, 2024 adding that the command has commenced investigation into the matter.
“At about 10:15 am on Monday, one Moris Fadehan aged 65 years of Grace of Comfort Oke Odo, Omitoto, Ile-Ife, was killed by one Lekan, who is also a member of the church. Upon arrival, his body was found in a pool of blood. Marks of violence were also discovered on the body of the deceased.
“The suspect was arrested at the scene of the crime. Remains of the deceased were deposited at the OAUTHC morgue for autopsy,” Opalola said.
According to sources, the suspect drew the attention of the people to the presence of the partly burnt remains of the pastor inside the church on Monday, 26 February, 2024.
It was gathered that Ogundipe, after committing the act, ran to the house of the founder of the church, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, and told him that fire was burning the pastor.
It was also learnt that a resident of Omitoto where the church is located was also told by Ogundipe that fire was burning the pastor and upon arriving at the scene, observed blood on the dress of the suspect, and drew the attention of the founder of the church to his observation.
It was also gathered that the same man called the police, whose operatives deployed to the scene, and subsequently arrested the suspect.
It was not immediately clear the issues between Ogundipe and Fadehan that could have led to the murder of the deceased.
But a source close to the deceased, who preferred anonymity for security sake said Fadehan had retrieved keys to the church from the suspect, after he assaulted a prophetess, following undisclosed differences last week Wednesday.
Source: The Punch online
