Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court Ikeja Division has refused the bail application filed by Oladele Ogundipe, a Lagos based Pastor, popularly known as ‘Genesis’ and the head of the ‘Genesis Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ’, Alagbado, Lagos.
In an application for bail pending appeal, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, counsel to Ogundipe prayed the court for an order, admitting him to unconditional bail pending the hearing and determination of the appeal of his sentence. In support of the bail application is a 16-paragraph affidavit sworn by his counsel, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku the pastor said he was suffering from diabetes.He noted that he could not follow a strict diet and the constant specialised medical attention in custody and this has taken a toll on his health making him be gaunt in appearance. Ogundipe through his counsel also noted that prior to his incarceration, he was suffering from hypertension, peptic ulcer and unending malaria which had worsened his health challenges since his Nov. 18 conviction.
In opposition to the bail application Mrs Rotimi Odutola counsel to the State prayed the court to refuse the application of the convict I’m its entirety. The State Counsel noted the trial had spanned several years and there was never a time the convict complained about his state of health.
Odutola said, “it is now he is alluding to facts about his alleged state of health now that he has been in custody for barely three weeks. Indeed if his health status truly requires treatment, the correctional centres also have a procedure for referral where an inmate’s health case so demand without the prompting of anyone.”
However, the ruling on the application, the court held that Ogundipe had not proved any special circumstances that could persuade the court to grant his bail application. The judge noted that the Court of Appeal Practice Direction 2013 provides for a quick hearing of criminal matters. The convict has not shown any medical records of his illness. Also, he has not been to the prison hospital for treatment. So his appeal can be heard early by the Court of Appeal,” Akinlade said.
Recall that Ogundipe was on Nov. 18 sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of the offences of conversion of property not delivered and stealing. He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sums of N14million and 12,000 pounds in various tranches from a London-based architect, Mrs Oladele Williams-Oni who had approached him for spiritual assistance.
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