A Kwara state Chief Magistrates ’ Court sitting in Ilorin, on Monday , sentenced a church founder, Pastor, Gabriel Josaya , aka Eli – Wakuku , to four years ’ imprisonment for dealing in human parts .
Josaya , who is the prophet and founder of St . Moses Orimolade Cherubim and Seraphim Church , Ilorin , was convicted after a long trial and sentenced to four years ’ imprisonment with no option of fine by Chief Magistrate Mohammed Ibrahim .
Josaya was sentenced along with his accomplice , Gabriel Moyosore , a herbalist , who bought human skulls from him .
The men were convicted of conspiracy , trespass and unlawful possession of human parts .
The police first information report revealed that Josaya unlawfully gain entry into a cemetery , where he exhumed human skulls and sold them to various customers at the rate of N8 , 000 per skull .
A human skull was discovered in possession of Moyosore and he confessed to the crime, the FIR added .
The Investigating Police Officer , Peter Ibiyemi, told the court in his evidence that Josaya confessed that he had exhumed over 200 human skulls from the Muslim Cemetery, Osere area of Ilorin .
He added that Josaya began the business in 2009 and that he carried out his operation mainly at night and singlehandedly.
According to Ibiyemi, for each operation , he paid N10 , 000 to the cemetery security guard .
He also stated that Josaya confessed to have sold each skull for N6 , 000 to Moyosore .
During cross examination, the counsel for the pastor, Ibrahim Olojoku , argued that the statement obtained from his client was not voluntarily made , adding that he was compelled by the police to admit to the crime .
Olojoku , who claimed to have witnessed the torture of the accused by the police , added that he gave the statement under duress .
The counsel for the convicts, Toyin Onanolapo , promised to make proper consultation as to whether to appeal the judgment or not .
It will be recalled that in 2016 , Josaya and his accomplice were arraigned before Magistrate Kudirat Yahya for criminal conspiracy , criminal trespass and unlawful possession of human heads contrary to sections 97 , 348 and 219 of the Penal Code Law .
The case was transferred to Chief Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim in 2018 .
