Dogo: Police, autopsy report dismiss ritual killing claim

The Police in Lagos, yesterday, explained that the Celestial Church of Christ, Overcomers Parish, Ajah, Lagos, its shepherd, Aso James, and other church members are not being prosecuted for the death of Dogo, because the autopsy carried on his body did not suggest ritual killing.

Dogo, an Hausa labourer was said to have in June 2023, fallen into a soakaway pit he was employed by the church to evacuate at its Overcomers Parish, Oke Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos.

His death drew the ire of his Hausa kinsmen in the area, who accused the church of ritual killing and promptly mobilised others to attack the Senior Shepherd of the church, Venerable Superior Evangelist Aso James, and other church members they could lay their hands on.

A viral video showed the naked and battered body of the Senior Shepherd.

The Celestial Church of Christ, Overcomers Parish, was painted as having killed Dogo for ritual purposes.

The name and image of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide was terribly battered.

The church rose to the unpleasant development, working with the Police to ensure that the arsonists were apprehended and prosecuted.

The church ensured that an autopsy was carried out on Dogo’s corpse and a Police report issued by State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, showed that Dogo died from injuries sustained when he tripped and fell into the soakaway, hitting his head on hard concrete.

The Police report confirmed the same.

Both documents confirmed that Dogo’s body parts were intact.

The Celestial Church of Christ was absolved of the allegation of ritual killing!

Speaking to newsmen on the issue in his Ikeja office yesterday, spokesperson for the command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said only those found culpable were taken to court.

The suspects include Badmus Bisiriyu and Seyi Afolabi.

According to him, the suspects charged to court were found guilty of arson, setting fire to the church, assault, attacking the shepherd and stealing.

“The shepherd was not taken to court for anything.”

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