Nigerian Pastor Charged With Bigamy

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded Pastor Julius Bamidele (38), in prison custody for allegedly contracting an unlawful marriage with another woman while still married. The court was told that Bamidele was married to his present wife, Mrs Yinka Bamidele. However, the accused got married to another woman, Bukola Dahunsi, while still married to Yinka.

The charge sheet reads: “That you, Julius Bamidele ‘m’, being married to former Miss Yinka Ibigbami now Yinka Bamidele (Mrs) under the Marriage Act on Sept.11, 2004, at Ado-Ekiti Local Government Registry, in Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District. “That you, Bamidele did marry one Bukola Dahunsi while Yinka Bamidele (Mrs) is still living and marriage not dissolved and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 370 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.’’

The accused pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge, while his counsel, Mr Yemi Adebayo, prayed the court to grant bail to his client in liberal terms, saying the charge against the accused was not a capital offence.The prosecutor opposed the oral bail application made by defence counsel, on the ground that Bamidele’s disposition showed that he might obstruct a fair trial of the case. Trial Magistrate Simeon Ojo consequently ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till Dec.19 for further hearing.